Cerebral: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe something that requires deep thinking or intellectual effort, often related to academic or philosophical subjects.

• The movie was praised for its cerebral plot.
• He prefers more cerebral activities like reading philosophical texts.

Informal way to describe someone who is very intelligent or clever, often used in colloquial speech.

• She's always been the brainy one in the group.
• I need someone brainy to help me solve this puzzle.

Describes someone who engages in serious study and thought, often related to literature, philosophy, or academia.

• He is known for his intellectual pursuits and love for history.
• The debate was very intellectual, focusing on complex social theories.

Relates to mental processes such as thinking, learning, and memory, often used in scientific or medical discussions.

• Cognitive development is crucial during early childhood.
• The study focused on cognitive functions in older adults.

This word is often used to describe something very intellectual and complex, focusing on the brain's cognitive functions. It is typically used in contexts involving mental challenges or intellectual pursuits.

• The movie was too cerebral for a casual Friday night.
• Her cerebral approach to problem-solving impressed everyone in the room.

This word is broadly used to describe people or activities that involve serious study and thought. It suggests a deep engagement with ideas, theories, or philosophies and can be neutral or positive.

• She was known for her intellectual breadth and depth.
• They enjoyed having intellectual debates about politics and society.

This term relates to education, schooling, or scholarly activities. It is usually used in contexts involving schools, universities, or formal studies. It can sometimes have a connotation of being removed from 'real-world' applications.

• He has an impressive academic record.
• Her arguments were very academic and lacked practical relevance.

This word often describes something that is intellectually superior and may be perceived as elite or snobbish. It can have a slightly negative connotation, indicating something is overly complicated or pretentious.

• The highbrow nature of the art exhibit alienated some of the visitors.
• They prefer highbrow literature and rarely read anything popular.

Best used to describe something that requires deep thinking or intellectual effort. Often used in contexts related to discussions, books, or movies that involve complex ideas.

• The film was too cerebral for some viewers.
• She enjoys cerebral conversations about philosophy.

Usually used for people or activities related to deep thinking, studying, and reasoning. It can be applied to pursuits that engage the intellect and suggest a cultured or refined context.

• He is an intellectual with a keen interest in history.
• The event attracted many intellectuals from different fields.

Appropriate when referring to things related to education, schools, or scholarly activities. Often used to describe environments, achievements, or manners that are scholarly.

• He has an impressive academic record.
• They had an academic debate on climate change.

Informal and usually used to describe a person who is very smart or intelligent. It has a positive, somewhat light-hearted connotation.

• She's the brainy one in the family.
• Those brainy students always solve the problems quickly.