Definition of genius
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
plural genii
: an attendant spirit of a person or place
b
plural usually genii
: a person who influences another for good or bad
He has been accused of being his brother's evil genius.
2
: a strong leaning or inclination : penchant
3a
: a peculiar, distinctive, or identifying character or spirit
the genius of our democratic government
b
: the associations and traditions of a place
c
: a personification or embodiment especially of a quality or condition
5
plural usually geniuses
a
: a single strongly marked capacity or aptitude
… had a genius for getting along with boys …— Mary Ross
b
: extraordinary intellectual power especially as manifested in creative activity
c
: a person endowed with extraordinary mental superiority
especially
: a person with a very high IQ
genius
adjectiveDefinition of genius (Entry 2 of 2)
informal
: showing or suggesting great cleverness, skill, or originality : brilliant
Remember how genius Henry Winkler was on Arrested Development? — Entertainment Weekly "I think Lindsey Buckingham's guitar playing is genius, and Stevie Nicks' voice is really unusual."— Justin Hawkins As "genius" as the New York raver kids may be, it's in Britain that the mixing of fashion and club music in the nineties is at its most exciting. — Vogue
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for genius
The first known use of genius was in the 14th century
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