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

This isn’t the first time the child prodigy has graced the screen. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026

At the height of Bratmania, Charli XCX opted for a co-headlining tour with Troye Sivan where she went hit for hit with the Australian dance-pop prodigy, who was not quite having the same sort of mammoth run. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

In Stick Season 2, Pryce’s golf prodigy Santi (Dager) takes the next step in his pursuit of professional golf, but his talent thus far becomes baseline expectation, which changes the game for him. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026

There, Owen plays a former professional golfer who tries to turn his life around by coaching a young golf prodigy. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 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