prodigy

American  

[prod-i-jee] / ˈprɒd ɪ dʒi /

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.

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prodigy British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of prodigy

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

Example Sentences

The novel recounts the investigative bread-crumb trail he follows into rural Peru to uncover the background of this vain, mercurial prodigy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Growing up in the Bay Area, Liu was known first as a child prodigy, then as a cautionary tale about the toll that elite sports can take on young athletes.

From The Wall Street Journal

As a child in California, she was a skating prodigy and the brightest American prospect—until she burned out and left the sport.

From The Wall Street Journal

Figure skating officials slammed the door on future 15-year-old prodigies, instituting a minimum age requirement of 17 for senior competition.

From The Wall Street Journal

He is a mediocrity while the jejune young man running riot in the palace is a miraculous, world-changing prodigy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• genius
• sensation
• whiz
• wizard
• wunderkind