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 10-year-old chess prodigy from north-west London has become the youngest person to earn the woman international master title.

From BBC

“I went to one game,” said Donovan, who was a 12-year-old prodigy the first time the World Cup was played in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

A high school woodshop prodigy, Moore got his start in furniture refinishing at a piano company in Anaheim.

From Los Angeles Times

That day in Portrush he remembers being struck by a change in the prodigy.

From BBC

On the other is a former teenage prodigy who is fulfilling her potential after taking a significant break from the sport to protect her mental health.

From BBC

Related Words

• genius 
• sensation 
• whiz 
• wizard 
• wunderkind