prodigy

[ prod-i-jee ]

noun

, plural prod·i·gies.

1. a person, especially a child or young person, having extraordinary talent or ability:

   a musical prodigy.

2. a marvelous example (usually followed by of ).
3. something wonderful or marvelous; a wonder.
4. something abnormal or monstrous.
5. Archaic. something extraordinary regarded as of prophetic significance.

prodigy

/ ˈprɒdɪdʒɪ /

noun

1. a person, esp a child, of unusual or marvellous talents
2. anything that is a cause of wonder and amazement
3. something monstrous or abnormal
4. See omen
   an archaic word for omen

Word History and Origins

Origin of prodigy¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English prodige, from Latin prōdigium “prophetic sign”

Word History and Origins

Origin of prodigy¹

C16: from Latin prōdigium an unnatural happening, from pro- ¹+ -igium, probably from āio I say

Example Sentences

An art prodigy, Jago quit the Academy of Fine Art in Frosinone at age 20 because he was fed up with the rules and the academic dogma.

From Ozy

Hassabis is a former chess prodigy, a master by the time he was 13 and at one time ranked second in the world for his age.

From Fortune

The otherworldly gifted guitar prodigy Marcus Machado paints the grisly times that we’re living in using sound on his latest cut called “Shape Shift”.

From Essence.com

Natural talent or physiological advantages might give you a slight edge, but even a prodigy isn’t going to master all aspects of a game they’ve never played before instantly.

From Popular-Science

Zhang, a programming prodigy, has long been regarded as China’s most independent, if elusive, tech tycoon.

From Fortune

Twelve-year-old dance prodigy Maddie Ziegler has suffered the wrath of Dance Moms tyrant Abby Lee Miller.

From The Daily Beast

Her integrity had been questioned two years prior, when 60 Minutes sent a camera crew to document the child prodigy in action.

From The Daily Beast

At all of seven years old, Aelita Andre has already held the title of “child prodigy” for five years.

From The Daily Beast

Quebecois child actor-turned-filmmaking prodigy Xavier Dolan, who wrote his debut feature at just 16.

From The Daily Beast

When he was a teenager, the engineering prodigy was head of product at UrbanBaby.

From The Daily Beast

To attempt to cut out Mrs. Kaye I should need a little genuine enthusiasm; and frankly, your beloved prodigy does not inspire it.

From Project Gutenberg

But what is a prodigy of nature, except an event which happens more rarely than some others?

From Project Gutenberg

At seven the portrait of the prodigy was taken, and engraved by Mr. Sherwin, the artist.

From Project Gutenberg

Mozart was a child prodigy at six years and maintained his ability through a long life.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor could popes and sovereigns render too great honor to such a prodigy of genius.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• genius
• sensation
• whiz
• wizard
• wunderkind