intelligentsia
noun C2
Plain meaning
educated people in a society who influence culture or politics
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe educated people in a society who influence culture or politics, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalThe article mentioned intelligentsia as one of the main issues.
examThe author examines intelligentsia in relation to social change, public policy, and institutional responsibility.
Common collocations
a clear intelligentsiaevidence of intelligentsiawidespread intelligentsia
Watch out
Do not use “intelligentsia” as a vague high-level replacement; make sure the sentence really needs this specific noun.