Cerebral Meaning
/ˈsɛ.ɹɪb.ɹəl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOf or relating to the brain, cerebrum, or cerebral cortex.
adjIntellectual rather than emotional or physical.
Sentence Examples
I had a cerebral contusion.
Tom has cerebral palsy.
The cerebral cortex is the brain's outer layer.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The stroke damaged his left hemisphere, impairing many ____ functions like reasoning.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ cortex is the outer layer of the brain's cerebrum tonight.
Word Origin & History
Borrowing from French cérébral, from Latin cerebrum (“a brain”); equivalent to cerebrum + -al.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Certainly, “Capital” is a cerebral read and the dangers of the world Marx lived in are not all the same as ours."
— 2024 September 19, James Miller, “Karl Marx, Weirder Than Ever”, in The New York Times Book Review, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:
"His cerebral candidacy, inspired by European and North American political and economic philosophers, and his very appearance, with his light-colored skin, trim physique and penchant for preppy sweaters, contrasted with an electorate largely made up of impoverished Quechua-speaking people and Spanish-speaking mestizos."
— 2025 April 13, Simon Romero, “Mario Vargas Llosa, Nobel-Winning Peruvian Novelist, Dies at 89”, in The New York Times:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The stroke damaged his left hemisphere, impairing many ____ functions like reasoning.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ cortex is the outer layer of the brain's cerebrum tonight.