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

Based on true events, Jacob Tremblay plays the 16-year-old Harvard prodigy who is subjected to controversial psychological experiments by Professor Henry Murray (Russell Crowe) and his eventual transformation into the Unabomber. — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026

Jon Batiste is one of the most interesting contemporary musicians out there, a musical prodigy who began performing at age 8 and has mastered multiple instruments. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026

At the time, the New Jersey native was filling the role of lead guitar prodigy in the Don Kelley Band, a group known for its lifer frontman and a revolving door of young, hotshot guitarists. — Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026

Fort Worth-area baseball prodigy Luke Esquivel has transferred from Grapevine to five-time state champion Southlake Carroll, his father told the Star-Telegram Wednesday. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 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