Prodigy: meaning, definitions and examples

A prodigy is an exceptionally talented child or young person who demonstrates extraordinary skills in a particular area at a very early age.

• Mozart was a musical prodigy who composed his first symphony at the age of eight.
• The young chess prodigy defeated several seasoned players in the tournament.

A genius is someone with exceptional intellectual or creative ability, often measured by their groundbreaking contributions and innovative ideas in various fields.

• Einstein is often considered a genius for his groundbreaking theories in physics.
• Her genius for storytelling has made her books beloved by readers worldwide.

A wunderkind is a term borrowed from German, often used to describe a child or young person who achieves success or demonstrates exceptional abilities in a particular area at a very young age.

• The tech industry wunderkind launched his first successful startup at the age of 16.
• Her reputation as a wunderkind in the world of ballet is well-deserved, given her remarkable talent and young age.

A virtuoso is a person highly skilled in a particular art, especially in music, often recognized for their technical proficiency and expressive performances.

• The pianist's performance was stunning; he's truly a virtuoso with an incredible command of his instrument.
• Her virtuoso violin solos left the audience in awe.