prodigy

[prod-i-jee]

noun

plural

prodigies 

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

   a musical prodigy.

2. a marvelous example (usually followed byof ).

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. 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

A British child chess prodigy has swept the board at a national competition, earning her a place among the top 50 women in the world for the blitz category of speed chess.

Read more on BBC

Partly because he treated us kids like miniature adults; not prodigies, not pests, just small people doing something brave together.

Read more on Salon

His rise from non-league prodigy in the eighth tier of English football to potential international star is a proper throwback, a story rarely told in the modern game.

Read more on BBC

When Chandni turns 4 and reveals herself to be a musical prodigy, she becomes a source of wonder.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In the world of child prodigies, novelists are the rarest breed.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• genius 
• sensation 
• whiz 
• wizard 
• wunderkind