cerebral
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “cerebral” mean?
adjective.of the cerebrum of the brain; intellectual rather than emotional or physical.
SAT Usage
This term often appears in passages discussing intellectual pursuits, philosophy, or psychology. It emphasizes a focus on thought and reasoning over emotional or instinctive responses, distinguishing itself from terms like "emotional," which suggests a reliance on feelings rather than intellect.
Common Confusions
Cerebral implies a focus on intellectual reasoning and thought processes, while emotional usually suggests a reliance on feelings and sentiments rather than rationality.
Do not choose cerebral if the context emphasizes emotional or physical aspects rather than intellectual qualities.
Example Sentences
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The debate was highly cerebral and focused on complex ideas.