The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word HIGHBROW
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
H
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More clues leading to the result HIGHBROW
- Intellectual greeting on the radio, before b_____ argument
- Intellectual pissed by Boris’s opening argument
- Intellectual argument in support of very important bishop
- Erudite argument behind school book
- Intellectual argument started by eminent bishop
- Intellectual drunk at summit
- Tight line bowled in the middle? Very academic
- Serious dispute after expensive initiation of Brexit
- Intellectual extremely bold when rejecting traditional argument
- Intellectual heard greeting bishop on street
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Intellectual" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case intellectual = highbrow.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does HIGHBROW mean?
HIGHBROW noun- (sometimes derogatory) A cultured or learned person or thing.
- (sometimes derogatory) Intellectually stimulating, highly cultured, sophisticated.