prodigy
Americannoun
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a person, especially a child or young person, having extraordinary talent or ability.
a musical prodigy.
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a marvelous example (usually followed byof ).
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something wonderful or marvelous; a wonder.
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something abnormal or monstrous.
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Archaic. something extraordinary regarded as of prophetic significance.
noun
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a person, esp a child, of unusual or marvellous talents
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anything that is a cause of wonder and amazement
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something monstrous or abnormal
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an archaic word for omen
Etymology
Origin of prodigy
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English prodige, from Latin prōdigium “prophetic sign”
Explanation
A prodigy is someone who is so naturally talented at something that they become a master of that particular skill as a child — you can be a musical prodigy or a math prodigy. Mozart was one, writing symphonies and playing for kings when he was only five years old. Prodigy is one of those wonderful words whose different meanings tell a story about how the meanings of words bloom over time. The word derives from the Latin prodigium, meaning "an omen or a sign of something to come." Prodigies are kids who often seem so talented that their success must presage even greater mastery, though, of course, the irony is that most prodigies peak in their youth.
Vocabulary lists containing prodigy
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Band manager John Fairs and Prodigy founder Liam Howlett helped to design the tribute, later signed off by Flint's family.
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
A devil-horned tribute to Prodigy frontman Keith Flint was "respectful" despite its churchyard setting, a reverend said.
From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026
Prodigy Will Pucovski had long been anointed as a natural successor, but repeated concussions saw him retire aged just 27 after one Test.
From Barron's • Nov. 6, 2025
Boy Kavalier forces Hermit to become his employee in exchange for remaining with his sister, and so he can work off the cost of an artificial lung Prodigy put inside him to save his life.
From Salon • Aug. 31, 2025
Prodigy was what Colin had, the way language has words.
From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
