First Known Use: 1513
Dictionary
genius
noun ge·nius \ˈjēn-yəs, ˈjē-nē-əs\
: a very smart or talented person : a person who has a level of talent or intelligence that is very rare or remarkable
: a person who is very good at doing something
: great natural ability : remarkable talent or intelligence
plural ge·nius·es or ge·nii \-nē-ˌī\
Full Definition of GENIUS
1
a plural genii : an attendant spirit of a person or place b plural usually genii : a person who influences another for good or bad
2
: a strong leaning or inclination : penchant
3
a : a peculiar, distinctive, or identifying character or spirit b : the associations and traditions of a place c : a personification or embodiment especially of a quality or condition
5
plural usually geniuses a : a single strongly marked capacity or aptitude <had a genius for getting along with boys — Mary Ross> b : extraordinary intellectual power especially as manifested in creative activity c : a person endowed with transcendent mental superiority; especially : a person with a very high IQ
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Origin of GENIUS
Latin, tutelary spirit, natural inclinations, from gignere to beget
Related to GENIUS
Synonym Discussion of GENIUS
gift, faculty, aptitude, bent, talent, genius, knack mean a special ability for doing something. gift often implies special favor by God or nature <the gift of singing beautifully>. faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function <a faculty for remembering names>. aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it <a mechanical aptitude>. bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability <a family with an artistic bent>. talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed <has enough talent to succeed>. genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability <has no great genius for poetry>. knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance <the knack of getting along>.
GENIUS Defined for Kids
genius
noun ge·nius \ˈjēn-yəs\
Definition of GENIUS for Kids
1
: a very smart or gifted person
2
: great natural ability <He has artistic genius.>
3
: a very clever or smart quality <The lads came … chattering all the time about Tom's stupendous plan and admiring the genius of it. — Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer>
Medical Dictionary
genius
noun ge·nius \ˈjē-nyəs, -nē-əs\
plural ge·nius·es or ge·nii \-nē-ˌī\
Medical Definition of GENIUS
1
: extraordinary intellectual power especially as manifested in creative activity
2
: a person endowed with transcendent mental superiority; specifically : a person with a very high IQ
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