genius
- 1A person with unusual intelligence or skill, often shown by creative or original work.
Like a star athlete, but for thinking and making new things.
Everyone called her a genius after she solved the puzzle in seconds.
The young genius built a working robot at the age of ten.
UsageMore than one: geniuses.
Similarprodigy, virtuoso, mastermind, maestro, brain
Oppositeidiot
Note
- 2A very rare and great ability to think or create, or a flash of brilliant thinking.
Like having a super-powered brain for learning and ideas.
Her genius for math showed itself very early in school.
It took real genius to make such a hard idea feel simple.
UsageSay she has a genius for numbers.
Similartalent, gift, brilliance, flair
Note
- 3Very clever, smart, or original in a way that impresses people.
Like an answer so smart it makes everyone say 'why didn't I think of that?'
Her plan to fix the leak was absolutely genius.
What a genius way to solve the parking problem!
UsageSay a genius idea or that's genius.
Less common meanings
- 4The special nature of something, especially the part that makes it work well or stand out.
The genius of the game is that you can learn the rules in one minute.
Part of the genius of this little town is that everyone says hello on the street.
UsageSay the genius of something.
Similaressence, brilliance, beauty
Note
- 5A guardian spirit believed to watch over a person or place.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Latin genius, meaning a person's inborn nature or guardian spirit, and also wit or brilliance. It came from a word meaning 'to beget or produce.'
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- English genius comes from Latin genius. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin genius meant a person's inborn nature or guardian spirit, and also wit or brilliance. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin genius derives from a word meaning to beget or produce. en.wiktionary.org