polymath

noun

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

Examples of polymath in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For Donzella and Kish, this show is a chance to bring the influential 20th-century polymath into focus for a new generation. — Adrian Madlener, Curbed, 2 Nov. 2026

The Swedish polymath explores the sounds, language, and imagery of Americana on a drolly observational singer-songwriter album. — Harry Thorfinn-George, Pitchfork, 22 Oct. 2026

When an ingenious serial killer begins murdering Minneapolis citizens, Davenport, a brilliant polymath and unconventional investigator, takes the case, sparking an intense psychological duel with an equally intelligent adversary. — Denise Petski, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Johannes Kepler, the German polymath famous for his laws of planetary motion, conjectured that this arrangement was optimal back in 1611. — Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for polymath

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