prodigy

noun

prod·​i·​gy ˈprä-də-jē 

plural prodigies

1

a

: a highly talented child or youth

b

: an extraordinary, marvelous, or unusual accomplishment, deed, or event

2

a

: something extraordinary or inexplicable

b

: a portentous event : omen

Did you know?

Is a prodigy a genius or a monster - or both? Nowadays, it's the talent that shines through, but back in the 15th century the word's meaning was more strongly influenced by that of its Latin ancestor, prodigium, meaning "omen" or "monster." Back then, a prodigy could be any strange or weird thing that might be an omen of things to come. Even in modern English, the word sometimes refers to an extraordinary deed or accomplishment. P.G. Wodehouse used that sense when he described how a character named Pongo Twistleton was "performing prodigies with the [billiard] cue."

Synonyms of prodigy

• miracle
• marvel
• wonder
• phenomenon

Examples of prodigy in a Sentence

a new drug that is being hailed as the latest prodigy of the medical world

Recent Examples on the Web

The 11-year-old STEM prodigy, whose real name is Sean Atitsogbe, recently met the 70-year-old scientist, whose show Bill Nye the Science Guy inspired generations of scientists and science enthusiasts. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026

As a freshman prodigy at Georgia, Urlando placed fourth at the NCAA Championships in the 200 butterfly during the 2020-21 season, before finishing second the next year. —Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2026

Sticking out is never easy, especially in a sport like golf, where most prodigies are fed their daily dose of lessons with a silver spoon. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 May 2026

Du Bois married poet Countee Cullen, who was a prodigy. —Danielle Parker, CBS News, 18 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin prodigium omen, monster, from pro-, prod- + -igium (akin to aio I say) — more at adage

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2b

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

prodigy

noun

prod·​i·​gy ˈpräd-ə-jē 

plural prodigies

1

: an amazing event or action : wonder

2

: an unusually talented child