prodigy
Americannoun
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prodigies
plural
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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
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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.
See Examples For:
In the movie, Panettiere plays Gen Harwood, an archetypal most-popular-girl-in-school and less-than-standard teenage ice-skating prodigy.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2026
It’s a lifestyle not entirely dissimilar to the rigorous training of an ice-skating prodigy, putting in the work at all hours to hone their skill.
From Salon ● Aug. 18, 2026
The teenage prodigy has lit up Europe for the past two seasons.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
It was therefore fitting that it was Ecclestone of all players who took the headlines, the teenage prodigy turned attack leader who has known nothing but professionalism in her career, making this the new norm.
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
His interest in Colin wasn’t exactly unselfish—over the years, Keith would publish a number of articles about Colin’s prodigy.
From "An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green
Although many prodigies are single-minded about their craft, Miles excelled in two sports in high school.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 23, 2026
A lot of young sporting prodigies tend to fizzle out, but - despite a slow start to the Premier League season - Littler appears to be going from strength to strength.
From BBC ● Apr. 10, 2026
Estevao scored a breathtaking solo Champions League goal to win the battle of the teenage prodigies against Lamine Yamal on Tuesday as Chelsea humbled 10-man Barcelona 3-0.
From Barron's ● Nov. 25, 2025
Partly because he treated us kids like miniature adults; not prodigies, not pests, just small people doing something brave together.
From Salon ● Nov. 23, 2025
Katherine, a tiny blond with both her father's ponytail and his fascination with prodigies, sat watching him quietly.
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.
