emotional intelligence
noun
: the ability to recognize, understand, and deal skillfully with one's own emotions and the emotions of others (as by regulating one's emotions or by showing empathy and good judgment in social interactions)
A large part of emotional intelligence is being able to think about and empathize with how other people are feeling. This often involves considering how you would respond if you were in the same situation.—
Kendra Cherry
Kendra CherryWe know that young children learn to identify, explain, and regulate their emotions, but we know much less about how children learn these things. They undoubtedly acquire some of their emotional intelligence from adults–—parents, teachers, and coaches, for example.—Lawrence T. White
Lawrence T. White… thousands of workers during the "Great Resignation" discovered a new road map to success: being able to recognize and walk away from abusive situations. … Empathy, respectfulness and emotional intelligence are hallmarks of leaders for whom people enjoy working.—Karla L. Miller
—abbreviation EI
Karla L. Millercalled also emotional quotient
Examples of emotional intelligence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The emphasis will not be on technical skills but on cultivating the uniquely human traits that AI cannot replicate: strategic problem-solving, emotional intelligence and creativity.
—Izabela Lundberg, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
In many ways, the excitement paired with vulnerability and intimacy demands an elevated level of social and emotional intelligence that exceeds what most people are willing to offer on first dates.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Companies with a team with high emotional intelligence outperform their counterparts by 20 percent.
—Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
Practice emotional intelligence Being in control of your feelings, and not the other way around, is vital for your brain, Suzuki and Barrett said.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025
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Izabela Lundberg, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025
In many ways, the excitement paired with vulnerability and intimacy demands an elevated level of social and emotional intelligence that exceeds what most people are willing to offer on first dates.
—Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2025
Companies with a team with high emotional intelligence outperform their counterparts by 20 percent.
—Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
Practice emotional intelligence Being in control of your feelings, and not the other way around, is vital for your brain, Suzuki and Barrett said.
—Renée Onque, CNBC, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for emotional intelligence
Cite this Entry
“Emotional intelligence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emotional%20intelligence. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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