Cerebral

suh-REE-bruhl

Definition

(adjective) Intellectual or related to deep thinking and reasoning.

Example

Her writing was cerebral—layered, analytical, and not easily skimmed.

Fun Fact

Originally referring to the brain itself (cerebrum), cerebral evolved to describe intellectual depth, not just medical anatomy. Critics often label certain novels or films cerebral when they reward deep focus and thoughtful interpretation rather than emotional payoff. It’s a favorite descriptor for highbrow art, complex theories, or analytical thinkers.

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