Nerd vs. Intelligent — What's the Difference?

A nerd is a person seen as overly intellectual, obsessive, introverted or lacking social skills. Such a person may spend inordinate amounts of time on unpopular, little known, or non-mainstream activities, which are generally either highly technical, abstract, or relating to topics of science fiction or fantasy, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities.

Having or showing intelligence, especially of a high level

A foolish or contemptible person who lacks social skills or is boringly studious

Having intelligence

A foolish, inept, or unattractive person.

Having a high degree of intelligence; mentally acute

A person who is single-minded or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits but is felt to be socially inept.

Showing sound judgment and rationality

A person who is intellectual but generally introverted.

Appealing to the intellect; intellectual

One who has an intense, obsessive interest in something.

Of high or especially quick cognitive capacity, bright.

A member of a subculture revolving around intellectualism, video games, fantasy and science fiction, comic books and assorted media. from 1980s

Well thought-out, well considered.

An insignificant student who is ridiculed as being affected or studying excessively

Characterized by thoughtful interaction.

Having at least a similar level of brain power to humankind.

Having an environment-sensing automatically-invoked built-in computer capability.

Endowed with the faculty of understanding or reason; as, man is an intelligent being.

Possessed of a high level of intelligence, education, or judgment; knowing; sensible; skilled; exhibiting high intelligence; as, an intelligent young man; an intelligent architect; an intelligent answer.

Cognizant; aware; communicative.

Having the capacity for thought and reason especially to a high degree;

Possessing sound knowledge;

Exercising or showing good judgment;

Endowed with the capacity to reason