Prodigy
n.capable, joyfuleveryday
What it means
A young person whose ability in a field is exceptionally advanced.
Reach for it when describing remarkable early talent while keeping age central to the meaning
The chess prodigy spent equal time studying endgames and encouraging beginners.
Choose between these
6- playful
phenom
in informal sports or entertainment coverage of a standout newcomer
not when Phenom is journalistic slang; reporters also use it for exceptional adults.
- everyday
child genius
when extraordinary intellectual ability appears in childhood
not when Child genius is a stronger claim and does not suit every skilled young performer.
- warm
gifted youngster
if respectful plain language suits an educational setting
not when Gifted youngster is gentler but less precise about the rarity of the achievement.
- professional
when promising ability matters without making an exceptional claim
not when Talent can name an adult, a young person, or the ability rather than its possessor.
- formal
young virtuoso
for an unusually accomplished youthful musician or performer
not when Virtuoso is most natural in performance disciplines and stresses technical command.
- literary
for a strikingly successful young talent, often in public life or the arts
not when Wunderkind can sound showy and may emphasize fame over actual mastery.
Said against
3- late bloomer
- novice
- mediocrity
It naturally appears in
3- child prodigy
The child prodigy still joined ordinary ensemble rehearsals each week.
- musical prodigy
A musical prodigy composed the suite at only twelve years old.
- former prodigy
The former prodigy now campaigns for healthier expectations of young artists.
Where this comes from
- wiktionary, English noun sense: a young person of exceptional ability opens in a new tab · retrieved 2026-07-26
The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.