savant

noun

sa·​vant sa-ˈvänt 

sə-,

-ˈväⁿ;

sə-ˈvant,

ˈsa-vənt

1

: a person of learning

especially : one with detailed knowledge in some specialized field (as of science or literature)

2

: a person affected with a developmental disability (such as autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability) who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field (such as mathematics or music)

especially : autistic savant see also savant syndrome

Did you know?

Word-loving Homo sapiens will appreciate how much there is to know about savant. For one, savant comes ultimately from the Latin word sapere (“to be wise”) by way of Middle French, where savant is the present participle of savoir, meaning “to know.” Second, savant shares roots with the English words sapient (“possessing great wisdom”) and sage (“very wise”) (as well as Homo sapiens). Finally, the term is sometimes used to refer to a person who demonstrates extraordinary knowledge in a particular subject or has an extraordinary ability to perform a particular task (such as complex mathematics) but has more limited capacities in other areas.

Synonyms

• pundit
• sage
• scholar

Examples of savant in a Sentence

a savant in the field of medical ethics

Recent Examples on the Web

The Accountant 2 It's been nine years since The Accountant saw Ben Affleck take on the role of Christian Wolff, a math savant who becomes an accountant for the world's greatest criminals, and Jon Bernthal play his brother, Brax. —Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025

Jokic is a basketball savant, exceptional in every facet of the game, a player for whom the Clippers will gameplan like never before. —Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025

Starbucks Since being hired as Starbucks CEO last August, Brian Niccol has been praised as a turnaround savant. —Mark Dent, HubSpot, 4 Apr. 2025

The straight-shooting, social-media savant is right: Many industry professionals—AD100 designer Young Huh among them—cite Instagram as their number one source for acquiring new clients. —Mel Studach, Architectural Digest, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from present participle of savoir to know, from Latin sapere to be wise — more at sage

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing savant

• autistic savant
• idiot savant
• savant syndrome

Rhymes for savant

• avant
• croissant
• detente
• entente
• storefront
• commandant
• confidant
• conodont
• debutante
• nonchalant
• restaurant
• daunt

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Kids Definition

savant

noun

sa·​vant sa-ˈvänt 

-ˈvän;

sə-ˈvant,

ˈsav-ənt

1

: scholar sense 2b

2

: a person affected with a developmental disorder (such as autism or intellectual disability) who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field (such as mathematics or music)

Etymology

from French savant, a form of the verb savoir "to know," from Latin sapere "to be wise, taste, have good taste" — related to insipid, sage entry 1

Medical Definition

savant

noun

sa·​vant sa-ˈvänt, sə-, -ˈvant 

: a person affected with a developmental disorder (as autism or intellectual disability) who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field (as mathematics or music)

especially : autistic savant see savant syndrome