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

Inspired by the German polymath Alexander von Humboldt’s travels in South America and his ensuing argument for the interdependence of all natural entities, the young Church embarked on a nearly seven-month expedition in Humboldt’s footsteps. —Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 13 June 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

Lambert's problem was first posed all the way back in the 1700s by the Swiss polymath Johann Heinrich Lambert, who pondered how to find the optimal trajectory between two moving objects. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 19 May 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

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