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.

---

Renaissance man British  

noun

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

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of Renaissance man

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Or it could simply indicate that collectors feel safer splurging on a household-name artist like Rembrandt, a Renaissance man famed for his pensive, realistic self-portraits in earthen hues.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

I recently spoke with Weller about the legacy and politics of “RoboCop,” his long career, turn as a Renaissance man, the importance of jazz and his friendship with Miles Davis.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2025

Now, the composer Joseph Boulogne would be hailed as a Renaissance man: artist, athlete, intellectual, soldier.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2024

“He was a true Renaissance man — he was fascinated by science and culture and would turn those passions into knowledge,” Peter McCallum said.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2023

He was, in truth, more of a Renaissance man than a modern scientist, and still thought in terms of vital forces, an abstract conception of perfection and spirits that kept the body alive.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin