prodigy
noun
Did you know?
Is a prodigy a genius or a monster - or both? Nowadays, it's the talent that shines through, but back in the 15th century the word's meaning was more strongly influenced by that of its Latin ancestor, prodigium, meaning "omen" or "monster." Back then, a prodigy could be any strange or weird thing that might be an omen of things to come. Even in modern English, the word sometimes refers to an extraordinary deed or accomplishment. P.G. Wodehouse used that sense when he described how a character named Pongo Twistleton was "performing prodigies with the [billiard] cue."
Examples of prodigy in a Sentence
Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Tennis prodigy Scottie is in her Reputation era and returning to the tennis tour after a scandalous two-year suspension by playing with her father’s rival, Nico in Wimbledon’s mixed doubles tournament.
—Katie Chandler, People.com, 10 June 2025
Golf Southern California is where golf prodigies Tiger Woods and Patrick Cantlay first began to receive attention as youths, and 15-year-old Jaden Soong, a member of the Class of 2028 at St. Francis High in La Cañada, is on the same path.
—Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
This thriller follows cello prodigy Curtis Wilson, who is forced to enter the witness protection program because of trouble with his drug-dealing father.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prodigy
Cite this Entry
“Prodigy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prodigy. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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prodigy
noun
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