genius

American  

[jeen-yuhs] / ˈdʒin yəs /

noun

plural

geniuses, genii

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:

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

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.

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genius British  

/ 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

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Usage

Plural word for genius The plural form of genius can be either geniuses or genii, pronounced [ jee-nee-ahy ], depending on the intended meaning of the word. Geniuses is much more commonly used. The plural forms of several other singular words that end in -us are also formed in this way, such as virus/viruses, callus/calluses, and status/statuses. Irregular plurals that are formed like genii, such as radius/radii or cactus/cacti, derive directly from their original pluralization in Latin. However, the standard English plural -es is often also acceptable for these terms, as in radiuses and cactuses.

Etymology

Origin of genius

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

Example Sentences

Presumably those who do decide to stay in room 411 are hoping that Christie’s literary genius might somehow rub off.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It’s a wonderful way of looking like a genius when job cuts are something you might have to do for other operational reasons,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. da Silva recognized the genius of the moniker, but tweaked it to Route 60, since the restaurant was located on Brazilian Highway 060.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents the nation’s first comprehensive exhibition on the artist, thoughtfully highlighting both his influences and his own ever-evolving genius across a wide array of media.

From The Wall Street Journal

“The greatest genius,” he writes, “is the most indebted man,” someone deeply connected with others and who possesses “a heart in unison with his time and country.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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