genius
genius Lexical Profile
genius Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Exceptional intellectual or creative power, or a natural ability and inclination of a very high order.
"Her latest symphony is a work of pure musical genius that captivates listeners from the opening measure."
A person who possesses extraordinary intellectual power, creative originality, or supreme skill in a particular domain.
"The young mathematician was hailed as a genius after solving a century-old theorem."
The prevalent character, distinctive spirit, or intrinsic ethos of a nation, era, language, or institution.
"The architectural restoration sought to preserve the historic genius of the medieval university town."
In classical Roman belief and folklore, a guardian spirit or tutelary deity allotted to a person at birth or inhabiting a particular place.
"Ancient Roman households regularly made offerings to the protective genius of the family."
• adjective
Exceptionally clever, original, or brilliantly conceived (used informally).
"Combining the study lounge with a quiet cafe was a genius idea that immediately boosted student attendance."
Word Nuance & Usage
The standard plural for intellectual prodigies or clever ideas is 'geniuses', whereas the Latin plural 'genii' is reserved for mythological guardian spirits or jinn. Avoid confusing 'genius' with the taxonomic term 'genus'.
• Rhymes for genius
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Latin 'genius', originally meaning an attendant guardian spirit present from birth, derived from the root 'gignere' ('to beget' or 'to produce'). By the 17th and 18th centuries, the meaning shifted from an external guiding spirit to an individual's innate intellectual and creative power.