ˌɪntəˈlɛk(t)ʃʊəl nəʊˈɛt.ɪk noʊˈɛt.ɪk having its source in or being guided by the intellect (as distinguished from experience or emotion) a rational analysis of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind intellectual problems the triumph of the rational over the animal side of man consistent with or based on or using reason rational behavior a process of rational inference rational thought capable of being expressed as a quotient of integers rational numbers an integer or a fraction