Renaissance man

American  

noun

1. a cultured man of the Renaissance who was knowledgeable, educated, or proficient in a wide range of fields.

2. (sometimes lowercase) a present-day man who has acquired profound knowledge or proficiency in more than one field.

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Renaissance man British  

noun

1. a man of any period who has a broad range of intellectual interests

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Renaissance man Cultural  

1. An outstandingly versatile, well-rounded person. The expression alludes to such Renaissance figures as Leonardo da Vinci, who performed brilliantly in many different fields.

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Etymology

Origin of Renaissance man

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

His renaissance man biography includes a career as a body builder, highlighted by his Mr. Universe titles, action film success, political stardom and even tabloid-fodder infidelity.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

And for his next act, this renaissance man of math is doing something improbable even by his standards.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 4, 2025

Blitz Bazawule, the director of a new film adaptation of Alice Walker's revered 1982 novel The Color Purple, is a true renaissance man.

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2023

"The president sees himself as a renaissance man who wants to accommodate."

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2022

Jeff is a renaissance man, drilling down to the core issues and pushing the envelope.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker