A prodigy is most often a highly talented child or young person — someone with exceptional ability. More broadly, the word can mean an extraordinary, marvellous or unusual accomplishment, deed or event.
What does prodigy mean?
In everyday use, a prodigy is a young person who shows remarkable skill far beyond what their age would suggest. A gifted young pianist, chess player or mathematician may all be called prodigies. Dictionaries also record a wider sense: a prodigy can be any extraordinary or inexplicable thing, or a marvellous accomplishment or event.
What is a child prodigy?
The phrase “child prodigy” is the most common way the word appears today. It describes a child whose talent in a particular field is so advanced that it rivals or surpasses skilled adults. Music, mathematics and chess are classic examples, though prodigies appear in many disciplines.
Where does the word come from?
Prodigy comes from the Latin “prodigium,” meaning an omen, portent or monster. In its earliest English use, around the 15th century, a prodigy could be any strange or unusual thing that might be read as a sign of events to come. The focus was on the extraordinary and the ominous rather than on talent.
| Sense | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Modern main sense | A highly talented child or youth |
| Broader sense | An extraordinary or marvellous thing or event |
| Original Latin | An omen, portent or monster |
How did the meaning change?
Over the centuries the word’s emphasis moved away from omens and strange occurrences toward exceptional ability, particularly in the young. Even so, English retains the older, broader sense: a stunning feat or an astonishing sight can still be described as a prodigy of nature or a prodigy of engineering.
Using the word correctly
The plural is “prodigies.” The word carries a strongly positive tone when applied to people, implying rare and impressive talent. When applied to things or events, it stresses how extraordinary or remarkable they are. Because of its intensity, it is best reserved for genuinely exceptional cases rather than routine achievement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does prodigy mean?
It usually means a highly talented child or young person, and can also mean an extraordinary or marvellous thing.
What is a child prodigy?
A child prodigy is a young person who shows exceptional skill or talent well beyond their years, often in music, maths or chess.
Where does the word prodigy come from?
It comes from the Latin "prodigium," meaning an omen, portent or monster.
What is the plural of prodigy?
The plural is "prodigies."
Does prodigy only apply to people?
No; it can describe an extraordinary accomplishment, event or thing as well as a gifted person.