Word
insight
Phoneticsin·sight, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪnˌsaɪt/
UK/ˈɪnsaɪt/
Definitions
01deep understanding
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Academic
n. a clear and deep understanding of a complicated problem or situation.
n. the capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding of a complex issue; often used with the preposition 'into'.
“The book provides a fascinating insight into how the human brain works.”
“The researcher's latest paper offers a profound insight into the socio-economic factors that contributed to the sudden urban migration.”
Usage
Commonly followed by the preposition 'into' when describing the subject of the understanding.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02the ability to understand
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the ability to see and understand the truth about something quickly.
n. the faculty of acute observation and deduction; a cognitive skill involving discernment.
“She has a lot of insight and quickly realized why the project was failing.”
“His clinical insight allowed him to identify the underlying pathology long before the laboratory results were finalized.”
Usage
Often functions as an uncountable noun when referring to a general personality trait or skill.
Synonyms
Antonyms
03mental health awareness
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Medicine Technical
n. the degree to which a person understands their own mental health condition.
n. an individual's awareness of the nature and severity of their own mental health condition.
“The patient showed good insight into his condition and agreed to follow the treatment plan.”
“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.”
Usage
Used specifically in psychiatric and psychological contexts to describe a patient's self-perception.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “insight” in context.
Verb
01. reveal insight
“The interview managed to reveal insight into the artist's creative process.”
verb + noun
02. yield insight
“Analyzing the data will yield insight into consumer spending habits.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. additional insight
“The latest research provides additional insight into the causes of the disease.”
adj + noun
04. important insight
“The study offers an important insight into how children learn languages.”
adj + noun
05. unique insight
“Working as a volunteer gave him a unique insight into the local community.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. insight gain
“The insight gained from the focus group helped us improve the product design.”
noun + verb
07. insight help
“Her unique insight helped the team solve the problem more efficiently.”
noun + verb
08. insight reveal
09. relatively insight
Real-World Examples
“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.” Etymology
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.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/insight