Spanish word

cerebral

Pronunciation

IPA/θeɾeˈβɾal/

Meaning

  • adjectiveintellectual

Example

Tiene un estilo cerebral al explicar las cosas.

He has an intellectual way of explaining things.

Illustration for cerebral (intellectual)

More examples

Su argumento fue demasiado cerebral y no conectó con el público.

His argument was too cerebral and didn't connect with the audience.

Core concept

Focus on reason rather than feeling.

Common phrases

  • estilo cerebral

    cerebral style

  • enfoque cerebral

    cerebral approach

  • persona cerebral

    cerebral person

Similar words

intelectual: Engages with theory and scholarship, valuing abstract ideas and academic learning.
reflexivo: Habitually thinks carefully about actions or events, showing inward reflection and deliberation.
analítico: Breaks topics into parts to examine details and identify underlying causes or structure.

Definition in Spanish

Relativo al cerebro; también dicho de algo o alguien que muestra una actividad mental intensa y pensamiento reflexivo más que emoción.

Word origin

The word comes from Latin cerebralis, from cerebrum 'brain', originally meaning 'pertaining to the brain' and later used metaphorically to describe intellectual or reasoning-focused traits.

Usage tips

  • Stress falls on the final syllable (ce-re-BRAL), and the adjective often sounds formal or highbrow, commonly applied to films, books, or arguments rather than casual compliments.

Other meanings

  • rationaladjective
  • cerebraladjective

Opposites

Related words

  • cerebralmentecerebrallyadverb

Word lists with this word