Intellectual vs. Sound — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 5, 2023
An intellectual is a person deeply engaged in critical thinking and scholarly activities, or pertains to the intellect. Sound refers to vibrations perceived by the ear or a solid basis in logic or fact.
Difference Between Intellectual and Sound
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Intellectual is a term that primarily describes an individual who engages extensively in critical thinking, reasoning, and scholarly pursuits. This person tends to value intellect and academic rigor. They delve deep into subjects, eager to grasp nuances and complexities. In contrast, the word sound can describe vibrations traveling through a medium, such as air or water, which are perceived by the ear. When you attend a concert, you appreciate the sound produced by instruments.
Beyond its primary definition, intellectual can also describe things relating to the intellect. It can indicate pursuits, activities, or discussions that are more academic or cerebral in nature. For instance, a debate on philosophy or a dense scientific article might be termed "intellectual." On the other hand, sound can be an adjective, suggesting that an argument, decision, or idea is grounded in logic or has a solid foundation. In this context, a well-reasoned argument might be called a "sound" argument.
Interestingly, while intellectual pursuits often emphasize the importance of sound reasoning, the two words are not always linked. An intellectual person might be expected to produce sound arguments or theories. Yet, not every sound decision or theory is the product of an intellectual process; sometimes, they arise from intuition or experience. Similarly, while sound, as in audible vibrations, can be the subject of intellectual study, such as in acoustics, the two concepts don't inherently overlap.
To further distinguish, consider this: an intellectual debate doesn't necessarily involve sound in the auditory sense, but for it to be persuasive or convincing, it should ideally be based on sound logic or evidence. Thus, while the realms of these words differ—one in the sphere of thought and the other in hearing or reason—they can intersect in meaningful ways.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
Person engaged in deep thinking
Vibrations perceived by the ear
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Secondary Meaning
Relating to the intellect
Solid basis in logic or fact
Associated Fields
Academia, philosophy
Acoustics, logic
Grammatical Use
Mainly noun, adjective
Noun, adjective, verb
Context of Use
Deep thinking, scholarly activity
Auditory perception, reasoning
Compare with Definitions
Intellectual
Pertaining to the intellect or mental capacity.
He enjoys intellectual challenges like complex puzzles.
Sound
Vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard.
The sound of the rain was soothing.
Intellectual
Characterized by intellect and deep understanding.
Her intellectual grasp of physics concepts was impressive.
Sound
In good condition; not damaged or faulty.
The bridge is structurally sound.
Intellectual
A person deeply engaged in scholarly pursuits and critical thinking.
As an intellectual, she often spent hours at the library researching.
Sound
Based on reason, sense, or judgment.
Her advice is always sound and well-thought-out.
Intellectual
Appealing to or engaging the intellect.
The seminar provided an intellectual discussion on ancient civilizations.
Sound
To measure the depth of something, especially water.
They used a line to sound the depth of the lake.
Intellectual
Valuing or prioritizing mental over physical activities.
He was more of an intellectual than an athlete.
Sound
In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave, through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid. In human physiology and psychology, sound is the reception of such waves and their perception by the brain.
Intellectual
An intellectual is a person who engages in critical thinking, research, and reflection to advance discussions of academic subjects. This often involves publishing work for consumption by the general public that adds depth to issues that affect society.
Sound
Vibrations transmitted through an elastic solid or a liquid or gas, with frequencies in the approximate range of 20 to 20,000 hertz, capable of being detected by human organs of hearing.
Intellectual
Relating to the intellect
Children need intellectual stimulation
Sound
Transmitted vibrations of any frequency.
Intellectual
A person possessing a highly developed intellect
A prominent political thinker and intellectual
Sound
The sensation stimulated in the organs of hearing by such vibrations in the air or other medium.
Intellectual
Of or relating to the intellect.
Sound
Such sensations considered as a group.
Intellectual
Rational rather than emotional
An intellectual decision.
Sound
A distinctive noise
A hollow sound.
Intellectual
Appealing to or engaging the intellect
An intellectual book.
An intellectual problem.
Sound
The distance over which something can be heard
Within sound of my voice.
Intellectual
Having or showing intellect, especially to a high degree.
Sound
An articulation made by the vocal apparatus
A vowel sound.
Intellectual
Given to activities or pursuits that require exercise of the intellect.
Sound
The distinctive character of such an articulation
The words bear and bare have the same sound.
Intellectual
An intellectual person.
Sound
A mental impression; an implication
Didn't like the sound of the invitation.
Intellectual
Pertaining to, or performed by, the intellect; mental or cognitive.
Intellectual powers, activities, etc.
Sound
Auditory material that is recorded, as for a movie.
Intellectual
Endowed with intellect; having a keen sense of understanding; having the capacity for higher forms of knowledge or thought; characterized by intelligence or cleverness
An intellectual person
Sound
Meaningless noise.
Intellectual
Suitable for exercising one's intellect; perceived by the intellect
Intellectual employments
Sound
(Music) A distinctive style, as of an orchestra or singer.
Intellectual
Relating to the understanding; treating of the mind.
Intellectual philosophy, sometimes called "mental" philosophy
Sound
(Archaic) Rumor; report.
Intellectual
Spiritual.
Sound
A long, relatively wide body of water, larger than a strait or a channel, connecting larger bodies of water.
Intellectual
An intelligent, learned person, especially one who discourses about learned matters.
Sound
A long, wide ocean inlet.
Intellectual
(archaic) The intellect or understanding; mental powers or faculties.
Sound
(Archaic) The swim bladder of a fish.
Intellectual
Belonging to, or performed by, the intellect; mental; as, intellectual powers, activities, etc.
Logic is to teach us the right use of our reason or intellectual powers.
Sound
An instrument used to examine or explore body cavities, as for foreign bodies or other abnormalities, or to dilate strictures in them.
Intellectual
Endowed with intellect; having the power of understanding; having capacity for the higher forms of knowledge or thought; characterized by intelligence or mental capacity; as, an intellectual person.
Who would lose,Though full of pain, this intellectual being,Those thoughts that wander through eternity?
Sound
To make or give forth a sound
The siren sounded.
Intellectual
Suitable for exercising the intellect; formed by, and existing for, the intellect alone; perceived by the intellect; as, intellectual employments.
Sound
To be given forth as a sound
The fanfare sounded.
Intellectual
Relating to the understanding; treating of the mind; as, intellectual philosophy, sometimes called "mental" philosophy.
Sound
To present a particular impression
That argument sounds reasonable.
Intellectual
The intellect or understanding; mental powers or faculties.
Her husband, for I view far round, not nigh,Whose higher intellectual more I shun.
I kept her intellectuals in a state of exercise.
Sound
To cause to give forth or produce a sound
Sounded the gong.
Intellectual
A learned person or one of high intelligence;
Sound
To summon, announce, or signal by a sound
Sound a warning.
Intellectual
A person who uses the mind creatively
Sound
(Linguistics) To articulate; pronounce
Sound a vowel.
Intellectual
Of or relating to the intellect;
His intellectual career
Sound
To make known; celebrate
"Nations unborn your mighty names shall sound" (Alexander Pope).
Intellectual
Of or associated with or requiring the use of the mind;
Intellectual problems
The triumph of the rational over the animal side of man
Sound
To examine (a body organ or part) by causing to emit sound; auscultate.
Intellectual
Appealing to or using the intellect;
Satire is an intellectual weapon
Intellectual workers engaged in creative literary or artistic or scientific labor
Has tremendous intellectual sympathy for oppressed people
Coldly intellectual
Sort of the intellectual type
Intellectual literature
Sound
To measure the depth of (water), especially by means of a weighted line; fathom.
Intellectual
Involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct;
A cerebral approach to the problem
Cerebral drama
Sound
To try to learn the attitudes or opinions of
Sounded out her feelings.
Sound
To probe (a body cavity) with a sound.
Sound
To measure depth.
Sound
To dive swiftly downward. Used of a marine mammal or a fish.
Sound
To look into a possibility; investigate.
Sound
Free from defect, decay, or damage; in good condition
Is the bridge sound?.
Sound
Free from disease or injury.
Sound
Marked by or showing common sense and good judgment; levelheaded
A sound approach to the problem.
Sound
Based on valid reasoning; having no logical flaws
A sound conclusion.
Sound reasoning.
Sound
(Logic) Of or relating to an argument in which all the premises are true and the conclusion follows from the premises.
Sound
Secure or stable
A partnership that started on a sound footing.
Sound
Financially secure or safe
A sound economy.
Sound
Thorough; complete
Gave their rivals a sound thrashing.
Sound
Deep and unbroken; undisturbed
A sound sleep.
Sound
Compatible with an accepted point of view; orthodox
Sound doctrine.
Sound
Thoroughly; deeply
Sound asleep.
Sound
Healthy.
He was safe and sound.
In horse management a sound horse is one with no health problems that might affect its suitability for its intended work.
Sound
Complete, solid, or secure.
Fred assured me the floorboards were sound.
Sound
Having the property of soundness.
Sound
Good; acceptable; decent.
How are you? —I'm sound.
That's a sound track you're playing.
See that man over there? He's sound. You should get to know him.
Sound
(of sleep) Quiet and deep.
Sound asleep means sleeping peacefully, and often deeply.
Her sleep was sound.
Sound
Heavy; laid on with force.
A sound beating
Sound
Founded in law; legal; valid; not defective.
A sound title to land
Sound
Soundly.
Sound
Yes; used to show agreement or understanding, generally without much enthusiasm.
I found my jacket. — Sound.
Sound
A sensation perceived by the ear caused by the vibration of air or some other medium.
He turned when he heard the sound of footsteps behind him.
Nobody made a sound.
Sound
A vibration capable of causing such sensations.
Sound
(music) A distinctive style and sonority of a particular musician, orchestra, &.
Sound
Noise without meaning; empty noise.
Sound
, distance within which a certain noise may be heard.
Stay within the sound of my voice.
Sound
(phonetics) A segment as a part of spoken language, the smallest unit of spoken language, a speech sound.
Sound
A long narrow inlet, or a strait between the mainland and an island; also, a strait connecting two seas, or connecting a sea or lake with the ocean.
Puget Sound; Owen Sound; Long Island Sound
Sound
The air bladder of a fish.
Cod sounds are an esteemed article of food.
Sound
A long, thin probe for sounding or dilating body cavities or canals such as the urethra; a sonde.
Sound
(intransitive) To produce a sound.
When the horn sounds, take cover.
Sound
(copulative) To convey an impression by one's sound.
He sounded good when we last spoke.
That story sounds like a pack of lies!
Sound
(intransitive) To be conveyed in sound; to be spread or published; to convey intelligence by sound.
Sound
To resound.
Sound
To arise or to be recognizable as arising in or from a particular area of law, or as likely to result in a particular kind of legal remedy.
In my opinion this claim sounds in damages rather than in an injunction.
Sound
(transitive) To cause to produce a sound.
Sound the alarm!
He sounds the instrument.
Sound
To pronounce.
The "e" in "house" isn't sounded.
Sound
(intransitive) Dive downwards, used of a whale.
The whale sounded and eight hundred feet of heavy line streaked out of the line tub before he ended his dive.
Sound
To ascertain, or try to ascertain, the thoughts, motives, and purposes of (a person); to examine; to try; to test; to probe.
When I sounded him, he appeared to favor the proposed deal.
Sound
Test; ascertain the depth of water with a sounding line or other device.
Mariners on sailing ships would sound the depth of the water with a weighted rope.
Sound
(medicine) To examine with the instrument called a sound or sonde, or by auscultation or percussion.
To sound a patient, or the bladder or urethra
Sound
The air bladder of a fish; as, cod sounds are an esteemed article of food.
Sound
A cuttlefish.
Sound
A narrow passage of water, or a strait between the mainland and an island; also, a strait connecting two seas, or connecting a sea or lake with the ocean; as, the Sound between the Baltic and the german Ocean; Long Island Sound.
The Sound of Denmark, where ships pay toll.
Sound
Any elongated instrument or probe, usually metallic, by which cavities of the body are sounded or explored, especially the bladder for stone, or the urethra for a stricture.
Sound
The peceived object occasioned by the impulse or vibration of a material substance affecting the ear; a sensation or perception of the mind received through the ear, and produced by the impulse or vibration of the air or other medium with which the ear is in contact; the effect of an impression made on the organs of hearing by an impulse or vibration of the air caused by a collision of bodies, or by other means; noise; report; as, the sound of a drum; the sound of the human voice; a horrid sound; a charming sound; a sharp, high, or shrill sound.
The warlike soundOf trumpets loud and clarions.
Sound
The occasion of sound; the impulse or vibration which would occasion sound to a percipient if present with unimpaired; hence, the theory of vibrations in elastic media such cause sound; as, a treatise on sound.
Sound
Noise without signification; empty noise; noise and nothing else.
Sense and not sound . . . must be the principle.
Sound
Whole; unbroken; unharmed; free from flaw, defect, or decay; perfect of the kind; as, sound timber; sound fruit; a sound tooth; a sound ship.
Sound
Healthy; not diseased; not being in a morbid state; - said of body or mind; as, a sound body; a sound constitution; a sound understanding.
Sound
Firm; strong; safe.
The brasswork here, how rich it is in beams,And how, besides, it makes the whole house sound.
Sound
Free from error; correct; right; honest; true; faithful; orthodox; - said of persons; as, a sound lawyer; a sound thinker.
Do not I know you a favorerOf this new seat? Ye are nor sound.
Sound
Founded in truth or right; supported by justice; not to be overthrown on refuted; not fallacious; as, sound argument or reasoning; a sound objection; sound doctrine; sound principles.
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me.
Sound
Heavy; laid on with force; as, a sound beating.
Sound
Undisturbed; deep; profound; as, sound sleep.
Sound
Founded in law; legal; valid; not defective; as, a sound title to land.
Sound
Soundly.
So sound he slept that naught might him awake.
Sound
To measure the depth of; to fathom; especially, to ascertain the depth of by means of a line and plummet.
Sound
Fig.: To ascertain, or try to ascertain, the thoughts, motives, and purposes of (a person); to examine; to try; to test; to probe.
I was in jest,And by that offer meant to sound your breast.
I've sounded my Numidians man by man.
Sound
To explore, as the bladder or urethra, with a sound; to examine with a sound; also, to examine by auscultation or percussion; as, to sound a patient.
Sound
To ascertain the depth of water with a sounding line or other device.
I sound as a shipman soundeth in the sea with his plummet to know the depth of sea.
Sound
To make a noise; to utter a voice; to make an impulse of the air that shall strike the organs of hearing with a perceptible effect.
How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues!
Sound
To be conveyed in sound; to be spread or published; to convey intelligence by sound.
From you sounded out the word of the Lord.
Sound
To make or convey a certain impression, or to have a certain import, when heard; hence, to seem; to appear; as, this reproof sounds harsh; the story sounds like an invention.
Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fearThings that do sound so fair?
Soun[d]ing in moral virtue was his speech.
Sound
To cause to make a noise; to play on; as, to sound a trumpet or a horn; to sound an alarm.
A bagpipe well could he play and soun[d].
Sound
To cause to exit as a sound; as, to sound a note with the voice, or on an instrument.
Sound
To order, direct, indicate, or proclain by a sound, or sounds; to give a signal for by a certain sound; as, to sound a retreat; to sound a parley.
The clock sounded the hour of noon.
Sound
To celebrate or honor by sounds; to cause to be reported; to publish or proclaim; as, to sound the praises of fame of a great man or a great exploit.
Sound
To examine the condition of (anything) by causing the same to emit sounds and noting their character; as, to sound a piece of timber; to sound a vase; to sound the lungs of a patient.
Sound
To signify; to import; to denote.
Soun[d]ing alway the increase of his winning.
Sound
The particular auditory effect produced by a given cause;
The sound of rain on the roof
The beautiful sound of music
Sound
The subjective sensation of hearing something;
He strained to hear the faint sounds
Sound
Mechanical vibrations transmitted by an elastic medium;
Falling trees make a sound in the forest even when no one is there to hear them
Sound
The sudden occurrence of an audible event;
The sound awakened them
Sound
The audible part of a transmitted signal;
They always raise the audio for commercials
Sound
(phonetics) an individual sound unit of speech without concern as to whether or not it is a phoneme of some language
Sound
A narrow channel of the sea joining two larger bodies of water
Sound
A large ocean inlet or deep bay;
The main body of the sound ran parallel to the coast
Sound
Appear in a certain way;
This sounds interesting
Sound
Make a certain noise or sound;
She went `Mmmmm'
The gun went `bang'
Sound
Give off a certain sound or sounds;
This record sounds scratchy
Sound
Announce by means of a sound;
Sound the alarm
Sound
Utter with vibrating vocal chords
Sound
Cause to sound;
Sound the bell
Sound a certain note
Sound
Measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line
Sound
Financially secure and safe;
Sound investments
A sound economy
Sound
Exercising or showing good judgment;
Healthy scepticism
A healthy fear of rattlesnakes
The healthy attitude of French laws
Healthy relations between labor and management
An intelligent solution
A sound approach to the problem
Sound advice
No sound explanation for his decision
Sound
In good condition; free from defect or damage or decay;
A sound timber
The wall is sound
A sound foundation
Sound
In excellent physical condition;
Good teeth
I still have one good leg
A sound mind in a sound body
Sound
Reflects weight of sound argument or evidence;
A sound argument
Sound
Having legal efficacy or force;
A sound title to the property
Sound
Free from moral defect;
A man of sound character
Sound
(of sleep) deep and complete;
A heavy sleep
Fell into a profound sleep
A sound sleeper
Deep wakeless sleep
Sound
Thorough;
A sound thrashing
Sound
Deeply or completely;
Slept soundly through the storm
Is sound asleep
Sound
An expanse of water, especially a wide bay or channel.
The Long Island Sound is a tidal estuary.
Common Curiosities
Is every intellectual activity academic in nature?
No, intellectual activities can span informal debates, self-study, or any deep thinking.
Can intellectual be used as a noun and an adjective?
Yes, for example: "He is an intellectual (noun). He enjoys intellectual (adjective) debates."
Is reading intellectual?
Reading can be an intellectual activity, especially when it involves deep understanding and reflection.
Is the sound of a clap an example of a sound wave?
Yes, the clap produces sound waves that travel through the air to our ears.
Does intellectual always mean someone is smart?
While intellectuals value deep thinking, the term doesn't solely denote intelligence.
Can something be intellectual but not sound?
Yes, an intellectual idea can still be flawed or not based on sound reasoning.
Is an intellectual always associated with academia?
No, an intellectual might be self-taught or engage in deep thinking outside of academia.
Is sound always audible to humans?
No, some sounds, like ultrasonic waves, are beyond human hearing range.
When saying an argument is "sound," what does it mean?
It means the argument is logical, well-reasoned, and valid.
Are all sounds musical?
No, while some sounds are musical, others can be noise or everyday ambient sounds.
Can "sound" also mean "healthy" or "in good condition"?
Yes, calling something "sound" can mean it's in good condition or health.
What is a "sound barrier"?
It refers to the speed at which an object moves faster than the speed of sound, creating a sonic boom.
Can someone be an intellectual in arts?
Absolutely, intellectuals can deeply engage in any field, including arts.
Can animals perceive sounds humans can't?
Yes, some animals can hear frequencies outside the human audible range.
Are all intellectuals experts in their fields?
Not necessarily. Intellectuals engage deeply in subjects, but expertise requires extensive knowledge and experience.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.