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

At the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, the dressmaking prodigy was the subject of a short documentary that focuses on his commitment to upcycled fashion. — Shannon Carlin, Time, 14 July 2026

The math world just got a new genius—a prodigy who announced himself by affixing his name to his signature feat of numerical prowess. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 13 July 2026

For the 2025 tour, the then-13-year-old prodigy came back ready to take the stage. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 11 July 2026

Another early-’80s sensation, the prodigy Andrea Jaeger, retired at 20 and later became a nun. — Josh Levin, The Atlantic, 9 July 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

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Kids Definition

prodigy

noun

prod·​i·​gy ˈpräd-ə-jē 

plural prodigies

1

: an amazing event or action : wonder

2

: an unusually talented child