intuitive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "intuitive" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe something that is based on feelings rather than facts or logic. For example, "He has an intuitive understanding of what his clients need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

SH Daniel is a very intuitive actor – he felt the stillness which comes from grief in an era when men didn't  burst into tears and weep over their friends.

The Guardian - Film

Some writers plot a whole novel in advance; others are more intuitive.

The Guardian

But its usefulness made it beautiful, he went on: "There is a deeply intuitive connection between beauty, function and purpose, especially when we are thinking about the beauty of nature".

The Guardian

"Just an intuitive kind of response, I guess," she says.

The Guardian - Film

All of which explains how, from countries such as Spain, it's not easy to understand why the desire to be members of the EU – something which to us is so simple and intuitive, even despite the recent crisis and the implementation of tough austerity policies and agreements – can cause so many complications for the British.

The Guardian

Deeply intuitive, she worked quickly because she knew that the best photographs were those in which she was able to capture the initial spontaneity of her subject.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Could such counter-intuitive findings really be true?

The Guardian

The first thing to do is counter-intuitive – get rid of more stuff.

The Guardian

How are journalists going to make sense of it all: Britain in Europe, the most intractable, counter-intuitive story of our time?

The Guardian

Tackling poverty may seem a counter-intuitive agenda for one of the most conservative figures in Congress, least of all one who claims to want to heal wounds in the Republican party.

The Guardian

Jagland defended the committee's seemingly counter-intuitive decision.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing user interfaces or software, use "intuitive" to highlight the ease with which users can learn and navigate the system without extensive training or instructions.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "intuitive" to describe features; instead, provide concrete examples of how the design facilitates ease of use. Saying a feature is "intuitive" without demonstrating how it is can be perceived as vague or dismissive of potential user challenges.

Linguistic Context

The word "intuitive" functions primarily as an adjective. Ludwig AI shows it describes something that is easily understood without conscious reasoning. Examples include describing an interface or a person's ability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

26%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intuitive" is a versatile adjective meaning easily understood or grasped. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing user interfaces, software, or people with strong instincts. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, with a neutral register suitable for a variety of writing styles. When using "intuitive", focus on demonstrating how something is intuitive rather than merely stating it. Alternatives include "instinctive", "easily understood", and "self-explanatory". The word is widely used, making it a very common and helpful descriptor in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instinctive

Focuses more on inherent, inborn tendencies rather than readily understood.

easily understood

Highlights the ease of comprehension, differing from the spontaneous nature of "intuitive".

readily grasped

Emphasizes quick understanding but not necessarily immediate insight.

self-explanatory

Suggests the absence of any need for explanation, whereas "intuitive" implies a natural understanding.

inherently obvious

Stresses the obvious nature, whereas "intuitive" hints at internal understanding.

visceral

Emphasizes a gut feeling more than a reasoned understanding.

natural

Implies something is inherent and effortless, like a skill or talent.

effortless to understand

Focuses on the lack of effort needed for comprehension.

nonrational

Highlights the lack of logical reasoning, moving away from understanding to feelings.

perceptive

Emphasizes keen observation and insight, not necessarily ease of understanding.

FAQs

How to use "intuitive" in a sentence?

You can use "intuitive" to describe something easily understood or grasped, like "The software has an "intuitive interface"" or to describe someone with a strong sense of intuition, like "She is an "intuitive person"".

What can I say instead of "intuitive"?

You can use alternatives like "instinctive", "easily understood", or "self-explanatory" depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something is described as "intuitive"?

When something is described as "intuitive", it means that it is easily understood or learned without the need for explicit instruction. It suggests that the design or functionality aligns well with users' expectations and mental models, making it feel natural and easy to use.

What is the difference between "intuitive" and "logical"?

"Intuitive" implies understanding through feeling or instinct without conscious reasoning, while "logical" implies understanding through reasoned, step-by-step thinking. Something can be logical but not "intuitive", and vice versa.