Knowledge vs. Intelligence: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Knowledge is the accumulation of facts and information, while intelligence is the ability to apply that knowledge effectively.
Key Differences
Knowledge refers to the collection of information, facts, and skills acquired through experience or education. It is essentially what is known. On the other hand, intelligence is the capacity to use knowledge, reason, and understand abstract concepts. It is the ability to apply knowledge effectively in different situations.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 15, 2023
Knowledge can be seen as a database of information that a person has learned over time, including theories, dates, facts, and figures. Conversely, intelligence is the ability to solve problems and adapt to new situations using this accumulated knowledge. Intelligence involves processing and utilizing the knowledge gained.
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Nov 15, 2023
While knowledge is often specific to the information learned, intelligence is more about the ability to think abstractly and reason. Knowledge can be shared and taught, but intelligence reflects an individual's ability to use this knowledge creatively and effectively.
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Nov 15, 2023
Knowledge typically grows with time and education, expanding as one learns more. Intelligence, however, is more related to a person's innate capacity to understand and adapt, which can be honed but is fundamentally a part of their cognitive makeup.
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Nov 15, 2023
In summary, knowledge is the gathered information and learned material, while intelligence is how effectively a person can use that knowledge to reason, solve problems, and learn from new experiences.
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Nov 15, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Static collection of information and facts.
Dynamic ability to apply knowledge.
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Acquisition
Gained through education and experience.
Innate ability, honed through experience.
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Measurement
Quantifiable (e.g., amount of information).
Qualitative (e.g., problem-solving ability).
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Transferability
Can be transferred and taught to others.
Personal cognitive ability, less transferable.
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Function
Provides a foundation of understanding.
Enables adaptation and innovation.
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Knowledge and Intelligence Definitions
Knowledge
Knowledge is the understanding of or information about a subject gained through experience or study.
Her extensive knowledge of history made her an excellent teacher.
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Intelligence
Intelligence is the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience.
She displayed remarkable intelligence in handling complex negotiations.
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Nov 15, 2023
Knowledge
Knowledge is the sum of what is known, encompassing the facts and information accumulated over time.
His knowledge of world capitals is impressive.
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Nov 15, 2023
Intelligence
Intelligence is the ability to apply knowledge to manipulate one's environment.
Her intelligence was key in developing innovative solutions for the company.
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Knowledge
Knowledge is awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation.
Her knowledge of the local market trends was invaluable for the business.
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Nov 15, 2023
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Intelligence
Intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.
Her intelligence was evident in her quick learning and problem-solving skills.
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Nov 15, 2023
Knowledge
Knowledge can be theoretical or practical understanding of a subject.
He has a deep knowledge of computer programming.
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Nov 15, 2023
Intelligence
Intelligence is the capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity.
His intelligence allowed him to excel in diverse fields of study.
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Nov 15, 2023
Knowledge
Knowledge refers to the state of being aware of something.
Her knowledge of different cultures enriches her writing.
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Nov 15, 2023
Intelligence
The ability to acquire, understand, and use knowledge
A person of extraordinary intelligence.
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Oct 19, 2023
Knowledge
The state or fact of knowing
Humans naturally aspire to knowledge.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intelligence
Information, especially secret information gathered about an actual or potential enemy or adversary.
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Knowledge
Familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained through experience or study
Has great knowledge of these parts.
Has only limited knowledge of chemistry.
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Intelligence
The gathering of such information
"Corporate intelligence relies on a slew of tools, some sophisticated, many quite basic" (Neil King and Jess Bravin).
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Oct 19, 2023
Knowledge
The sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned
The extraordinary knowledge housed in the library.
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Intelligence
An agency or organization whose purpose is to gather such information
An officer from military intelligence.
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Knowledge
The fact of knowing about something; general understanding or familiarity with a subject, place, situation etc.
His knowledge of Iceland was limited to what he'd seen on the Travel Channel.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intelligence
Of mind, especially to understand principles, truths, facts or meanings, acquire knowledge, and apply it to practice; the ability to comprehend and learn.
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Oct 19, 2023
Knowledge
Awareness of a particular fact or situation; a state of having been informed or made aware of something.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intelligence
The quality of making use or having made use of such capacities: depth of understanding, mental quickness.
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Oct 19, 2023
Knowledge
Intellectual understanding; the state of appreciating truth or information.
Knowledge consists in recognizing the difference between good and bad decisions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Knowledge
Familiarity or understanding of a particular skill, branch of learning etc.
Does your friend have any knowledge of hieroglyphs, perchance?
A secretary should have a good knowledge of shorthand.
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Intelligence
(countable) A political or military department, agency or unit designed to gather information, usually secret, about the enemy or about hostile activities.
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Knowledge
Sexual intimacy or intercourse (now usually in phrase carnal knowledge).
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Oct 19, 2023
Intelligence
The act or state of knowing; the exercise of the understanding.
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Oct 19, 2023
Knowledge
The total of what is known; all information and products of learning.
His library contained the accumulated knowledge of the Greeks and Romans.
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Intelligence
The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment.
And dimmed with darkness their intelligence.
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Knowledge
(countable) Something that can be known; a branch of learning; a piece of information; a science.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intelligence
Information communicated; news; notice; advice.
Intelligence is given where you are hid.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intelligence
Acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
He lived rather in a fair intelligence than any friendship with the favorites.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intelligence
Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by study, research, or experience; general information.
I write as he that none intelligenceOf meters hath, ne flowers of sentence.
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Knowledge
The deep familiarity with certain routes and places of interest required by taxicab drivers working in London, England.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intelligence
An intelligent being or spirit; - generally applied to pure spirits; as, a created intelligence.
The great Intelligences fairThat range above our mortal state,In circle round the blessed gate,Received and gave him welcome there.
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Intelligence
The division within a military organization that gathers and evaluates information about an enemy.
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Knowledge
The act or state of knowing; clear perception of fact, truth, or duty; certain apprehension; familiar cognizance; cognition.
Knowledge, which is the highest degree of the speculative faculties, consists in the perception of the truth of affirmative or negative propositions.
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Intelligence
The ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience
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Oct 19, 2023
Knowledge
That which is or may be known; the object of an act of knowing; a cognition; - chiefly used in the plural.
There is a great difference in the delivery of the mathematics, which are the most abstracted of knowledges.
Knowledges is a term in frequent use by Bacon, and, though now obsolete, should be revived, as without it we are compelled to borrow "cognitions" to express its import.
To use a word of Bacon's, now unfortunately obsolete, we must determine the relative value of knowledges.
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Intelligence
A unit responsible for gathering and interpreting information about an enemy
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Knowledge
That which is gained and preserved by knowing; instruction; acquaintance; enlightenment; learning; scholarship; erudition.
Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Ignorance is the curse of God;Knowledge, the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intelligence
Secret information about an enemy (or potential enemy);
We sent out planes to gather intelligence on their radar coverage
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Knowledge
That familiarity which is gained by actual experience; practical skill; as, a knowledge of life.
Shipmen that had knowledge of the sea.
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Intelligence
New information about specific and timely events;
They awaited news of the outcome
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Knowledge
Scope of information; cognizance; notice; as, it has not come to my knowledge.
Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldst take knowledge of me?
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Knowledge
Sexual intercourse; - usually preceded by carnal; same as carnal knowledge.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intelligence
Intelligence is the faculty of making inferences and adapting to new situations.
His intelligence shone in how he adapted to new technological changes.
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Nov 15, 2023
Knowledge
The psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How is knowledge obtained?
Knowledge is obtained through learning, either via formal education or personal experiences.
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Nov 15, 2023
Is knowledge static or dynamic?
Knowledge is relatively static, representing a collection of what is known at a given time.
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Nov 15, 2023
What is knowledge?
Knowledge is the collection of information, facts, and skills acquired through experience or education.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can knowledge be measured?
Yes, knowledge can be quantified in terms of the amount of information learned or the depth of understanding in a particular field.
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Nov 15, 2023
What is intelligence?
Intelligence is the ability to apply knowledge effectively, reason, solve problems, and adapt to new situations.
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Nov 15, 2023
Is intelligence innate or learned?
Intelligence is largely considered innate, but it can be developed and honed through experiences and education.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can knowledge exist without intelligence?
Yes, knowledge can exist as information without the application of intelligence.
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Nov 15, 2023
How does knowledge impact decision-making?
Knowledge provides a foundation for informed decision-making, allowing individuals to draw upon facts and information.
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Nov 15, 2023
How does intelligence differ from knowledge?
Intelligence is about applying and using knowledge effectively, whereas knowledge is the information and facts possessed.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can intelligence exist without knowledge?
Intelligence requires some form of knowledge to apply, though it is more about how knowledge is used.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can technology enhance human knowledge and intelligence?
Technology can enhance knowledge by providing access to information and may aid in developing some aspects of intelligence through interactive and challenging tools.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can intelligence change over time?
Yes, intelligence can evolve, particularly through mental stimulation, learning, and adapting to new challenges.
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Is intelligence a sign of higher cognitive abilities?
Intelligence is often associated with higher cognitive abilities, especially in problem-solving and adaptability.
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How can someone enhance their intelligence?
Enhancing intelligence involves engaging in activities that challenge the brain, like problem-solving and critical thinking.
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Does a high level of knowledge guarantee high intelligence?
Not necessarily. Someone can have a lot of knowledge but may not be adept at applying it effectively.
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Nov 15, 2023
Are there different types of intelligence?
Yes, theories like Howard Gardner's propose multiple types of intelligence, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, and interpersonal intelligence.
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Nov 15, 2023
How does one improve their knowledge?
Improving knowledge involves continuous learning, research, and exposure to new information.
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Nov 15, 2023
Are knowledge and intelligence dependent on each other?
While interrelated, knowledge and intelligence can exist independently; knowledge is the information held, and intelligence is the application of that information.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can knowledge be shared?
Yes, knowledge can be transferred and shared with others.
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Nov 15, 2023
Is intelligence measurable?
Intelligence can be assessed, but it's more qualitative, focusing on problem-solving abilities and cognitive skills.
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Nov 15, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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