genius

[ jeen-yuhs ]

noun

, plural gen·ius·es gen·i·i [jee, -nee-ahy]

1. an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative and original work in science, art, music, etc.:

   the genius of Mozart.

   Synonyms: wit, ingenuity, intelligence

2. a person having such capacity.
3. a person having an extraordinarily high intelligence rating on a psychological test, as an IQ above 140.

   Synonyms: brainiac, brain, whiz, expert, master

   Antonyms: dope, half-wit, imbecile, idiot, ninny, nitwit, blockhead, numbskull, dolt, dullard, dunce, simpleton, fool, moron

4. natural ability or capacity; strong inclination:

   a special genius for leadership.

   Synonyms: wizardry, flair, bent, knack, penchant, predilection, endowment, faculty, aptitude, talent, gift

5. distinctive character or spirit, as of a nation, period, or language.
6. the guardian spirit of a place, institution, etc.
7. either of two mutually opposed spirits, one good and the other evil, supposed to attend a person throughout life.
8. a person who strongly influences for good or ill the character, conduct, or destiny of a person, place, or thing:

   Rasputin, the evil genius of Russian politics.

9. Islamic Mythology. jinn; genie.
10. genie ( def 3 ).

genius

/ ˈdʒiːnɪəs; -njəs /

noun

1. a person with exceptional ability, esp of a highly original kind
2. such ability or capacity

   Mozart's musical genius

3. the distinctive spirit or creative nature of a nation, era, language, etc
4. a person considered as exerting great influence of a certain sort

   an evil genius

5. Roman myth
   1. the guiding spirit who attends a person from birth to death
   2. the guardian spirit of a place, group of people, or institution
6. Arabian myth usually plural a demon; jinn

Word History and Origins

Origin of genius¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin: “tutelary deity or genius of a person”; genus

Word History and Origins

Origin of genius¹

C16: from Latin, from gignere to beget

Example Sentences

Bonauto, now an official MacArthur genius, is rightly known as the Thurgood Marshall of the marriage movement.

From The Daily Beast

And this song is just absolute genius and totally universal.

From The Daily Beast

But the comedic genius was wrong; success in most dimensions of the human enterprise is showing up at the right time.

From The Daily Beast

The problem is, how do you find a movie narrative that can explain genius, British or otherwise?

From The Daily Beast

In that case the device was to put the genius in opposition to a majority of established cultural tastes and codes.

From The Daily Beast

God has placed the genius of women in their hearts; because the works of this genius are always works of love.

From Project Gutenberg

When Yima pressed the earth with this ring, the genius of the Earth, Aramaîti, responded to his wish and order.

From Project Gutenberg

Even genius, however, needs direction and adjustment to secure the most perfect and reliable results.

From Project Gutenberg

The universal ignorance of the working class broke down the aspiring force of genius.

From Project Gutenberg

However, I have felt some comfort in knowing that it is not Liszt's genius alone that makes him such a player.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• ability
• accomplishment
• acumen
• aptitude
• brilliance
• flair
• imagination
• ingenuity
• inspiration
• intelligence
• inventiveness
• originality
• prodigy
• prowess
• talent
• wisdom