insight
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a clear and deep understanding of a complicated problem or situation.
the capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of a complex issue; often used with the preposition 'into'.
Simple“The book provides a fascinating insight into how the human brain works.”
In context“The researcher's latest paper offers a profound insight into the socio-economic factors that contributed to the sudden urban migration.”
UsageCommonly followed by the preposition 'into' when describing the subject of the understanding.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
the ability to see and understand the truth about something quickly.
the faculty of acute observation and deduction; a cognitive skill involving discernment.
Simple“She has a lot of insight and quickly realized why the project was failing.”
In context“His clinical insight allowed him to identify the underlying pathology long before the laboratory results were finalized.”
UsageOften functions as an uncountable noun when referring to a general personality trait or skill.
SynonymsAntonymsobtuseness - 03 C2 Proficiency
the degree to which a person understands their own mental health condition.
an individual's awareness of the nature and severity of their own mental health condition.
Simple“The patient showed good insight into his condition and agreed to follow the treatment plan.”
In context“A lack of clinical insight is a common challenge in treating patients with severe psychotic disorders, as they may not recognize their symptoms as illness.”
UsageUsed specifically in psychiatric and psychological contexts to describe a patient's self-perception.
Synonymsself awarenessAntonymsanosognosia
Usage additional insight · important insight · insight gain
“Two studies led by Ludwig Princeton's Jenna AbuSalim and Director Joshua Rabinowitz offer new insight into that process.”
“High Streets seem to offer insight into Britain's troubles.”
From Middle English insight, insiht (“insight, mental vision, intelligence, understanding”), equivalent to in- + sight. Perhaps continuing Old English insiht (“narrative, argument, account”), from Proto-Germanic *insahtiz (“account, narrative, argument”). Compare West Frisian ynsjoch (“insight”), Dutch inzicht (“insight, awareness, view, opinion”), German Low German Insicht (“insight”), German Einsicht (“insight, knowledge, perception, understanding”), Danish indsigt (“insight”), Swedish insikt (“insight”), Icelandic innsýn (“insight”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.