prodigy
Meaning: A young person with exceptional qualities or abilities, or an impressive or outstanding example of something.
Prodigy most commonly refers to a child or young person who demonstrates extraordinary talent, particularly in music, mathematics, chess, or other intellectual and creative fields. Mozart is the archetypal child prodigy. The word can also be used more broadly to describe any remarkable or impressive thing, though this older sense is now less common. In modern usage, it appears frequently in media profiles, educational discussions, and biographical writing. Common collocations include 'child prodigy,' 'musical prodigy,' 'former prodigy,' and 'infant prodigy.'
Examples
- The young pianist was hailed as a prodigy after performing Rachmaninoff at the age of nine. 这位年轻的钢琴家九岁就演奏拉赫玛尼诺夫的作品,被誉为天才。El joven pianista fue aclamado como un prodigio tras interpretar a Rajmáninov a la edad de nueve años.その若きピアニストは9歳でラフマニノフを演奏し、天才と称された。그 어린 피아니스트는 아홉 살에 라흐마니노프를 연주하고 신동으로 칭송받았다.
- She was a mathematical prodigy who had completed her doctorate before her twentieth birthday. 她是一位数学天才,在二十岁之前就完成了博士学位。Era una prodigio de las matemáticas que había completado su doctorado antes de cumplir veinte años.彼女は数学の天才で、20歳の誕生日を迎える前に博士号を取得していた。그녀는 수학 천재로, 스무 살 생일 전에 박사 학위를 마쳤다.
- The football club's academy has produced several prodigies who have gone on to play for England. 这家足球俱乐部的青训营培养出了几位后来入选英格兰国家队的天才球员。La academia del club de fútbol ha producido varios prodigios que han llegado a jugar con la selección de Inglaterra.そのサッカークラブのアカデミーは、後にイングランド代表でプレーすることになる数人の逸材を輩出した。그 축구 클럽의 아카데미는 이후 잉글랜드 대표팀에서 뛰게 된 여러 천재를 배출했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: media, general, academic
Tone: positive
Origin & History
From Latin prodigium (an omen, portent, monster), of uncertain further origin. Originally referred to an extraordinary or prophetic sign, the sense shifted in English to mean an exceptionally talented young person by the 17th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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