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polymath

noun

poly·​math ˈpä-lē-ˌmath How to pronounce polymath (audio)
: a person of encyclopedic learning
polymath adjective
or polymathic

Examples of polymath in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One of the world’s first calculators, devised in 1642 by the French polymath Blaise Pascal, was pulled from auction — at least for now. Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 20 Nov. 2025 O’Dell — producer, director, full-time nightlife polymath. Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 18 Nov. 2025 His Netflix comedy, The Vince Staples Show, captures both sides — the creative polymath and the dispassionate observer of life — at once. Jesse David Fox, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025 Genre-leaping music polymath Jon Batiste, who won five Grammys in 2022 – including Album of the Year – was not nominated in that top category this year. George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for polymath

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polymath was in 1624

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Cite this Entry

“Polymath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polymath. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.

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