Brains: meaning, definitions and examples

Use in informal settings to refer to someone's intelligence or mental capacity, often highlighting practical problem-solving skills.

• She’s got the brains to solve any technical issue.
• He was the brains behind the successful project.

A versatile term that can be used in both formal and informal settings to refer to someone's mental faculties, including thoughts, memories, and consciousness.

• Keeping an open mind is crucial for learning new things.
• He couldn't get her out of his mind.

Used in formal or academic contexts to describe someone's ability to think logically and understand complex ideas. It often highlights deep, theoretical thinking.

• His intellect made him one of the most respected philosophers of his time.
• She has a sharp intellect and excels in analytical tasks.

Appropriate in scientific or academic contexts when discussing mental processes like perception, thinking, and understanding.

• The study focused on the effects of sleep on cognition.
• Cognition develops rapidly in the first few years of life.

This word is often used informally to refer to someone's intellectual capacity, often in a general or colloquial sense.

• She has the brains to solve complex problems easily.
• They picked him for the project because of his brains.

This term is more formal and is used to discuss someone's overall ability to learn, understand, and apply knowledge. It can refer to both emotional and intellectual abilities.

• Her intelligence was evident from a young age.
• The program measures multiple facets of intelligence, including logical reasoning and creativity.

This word typically refers to someone who is cleverly amusing and can make sharp, humorous remarks. It often has a social or conversational connotation.

• Her wit made the evening entertaining for everyone.
• He is known for his sharp wit and humor.

This is a more casual term used to describe someone who is clever or quick-witted. It emphasizes being quick to understand or solve problems.

• His smartness helped him navigate through the tricky situation.
• She admired his smartness and quick decision-making.