wunderkind

noun

wun·​der·​kind ˈvu̇n-dər-ˌkint 

plural wunderkinder ˈvu̇n-dər-ˌkin-dər 

: a child prodigy

also : one who succeeds in a competitive or highly difficult field or profession at an early age

Examples of wunderkind in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

England wunderkind David Beckham, then 23, had been fouled by Diego Simeone and lay face-first on the field. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 July 2026

The 2000s megacomic Dane Cook will star in an upcoming horror short directed by wunderkind Obsession director Barker’s father, Jeff Barker, per The Hollywood Reporter. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Fresh off an appearance in the NBA Finals in only his third season in the league, San Antonio Spurs wunderkind center Victor Wembanyama was poised to cash in this summer. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

If the outspoken and confident Yankee were to get the nod, the first inning — which could also feature Brewers wunderkind Jacob Misiorowski or the Phillies’ Cristopher Sánchez in a hometown setting — would be appointment viewing. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

German, from Wunder wonder + Kind child

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above