polymath

1 of 2

noun (1)

poly·​math ˈpä-lē-ˌmath 

: a person of encyclopedic learning

polymath adjective

or polymathic

ˌpä-lē-ˈma-thik 

polymathy

pə-ˈli-mə-thē  ˈpä-lə-ˌma-thē 

noun

polymathy

2 of 2

noun (2)

po·​lym·​a·​thy pəˈliməthē 

plural -es

: the character or attainments of a polymath : encyclopedic learning

scorn for mere polymathy

—G. W. Johnson

Examples of polymath in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Jane Remover is a trans polymath producer and singer-songwriter with influences across rave, shoegaze, trap and beyond. — Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026

Potter and artistic polymath Kawai Kanjiro was a key figure in the 20th-century Mingei folk art movement. — Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2026

In fact, the German naturalist and polymath has been described as the person with more species – from penguins and monkeys to an orchid – and places named after him than any other human. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Apr. 2026

Leonardo was one of history’s greatest polymaths, filling notebooks with designs across a range of disciplines, including flying machines that wouldn't be realized for centuries. — ABC News, 9 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Greek polymathēs very learned, from poly- + manthanein to learn — more at mathematical

Noun (2)

Greek polymathia much learning, from polymathēs knowing much + -ia -y

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1624, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for polymath

• tablecloth
• broadcloth
• cheesecloth
• loincloth
• neckcloth
• oilcloth
• sackcloth
• washcloth
• zeroth
• broth
• cloth
• doth