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 of savant

• scholar

Examples of savant in a Sentence

a savant in the field of medical ethics

Recent Examples on the Web

The Giants might even kick around the idea of signing Luis Arraez, a 28-year-old contact-hitting savant who is a defensive liability and hasn’t played second base full-time since 2023. —Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026

In the last few years, Scandinavia has become the global center for all manner of uncanny cloud rock and ambient pop wonder, from the dreamy Danes to screw-pop savants like Smerz. —Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2026

Several shams were designed by AD100 designers like Sarah Sherman Samuel and fabric savants like Scalamandre, which makes picking out just one or two among the robust selection of textures, shapes, and materials a lofty task. —Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 20 Jan. 2026

Unexpected decisions like this one, both on the screen and off of it, have cemented her as a sartorial savant worthy of perpetual influence. —Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026

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