View synonyms for genius

genius

[ jeen-yuhs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural gen·ius·es gen·i·i [jee, -nee-ahy]

an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative and original work in science, art, music, etc.:
the genius of Mozart.
Synonyms: wit, ingenuity, intelligence
a person having such capacity.
a person having an extraordinarily high intelligence rating on a psychological test, as an IQ above 140.
Synonyms: brainiac, brain, whiz, expert, master
Antonyms: dope, half-wit, imbecile, idiot, ninny, nitwit, blockhead, numbskull, dolt, dullard, dunce, simpleton, fool, moron
natural ability or capacity; strong inclination:
a special genius for leadership.
Synonyms: flair, bent, knack, penchant, predilection, endowment, faculty, aptitude, talent, gift, wizardry
distinctive character or spirit, as of a nation, period, or language.
the guardian spirit of a place, institution, etc.
either of two mutually opposed spirits, one good and the other evil, supposed to attend a person throughout life.
a person who strongly influences for good or ill the character, conduct, or destiny of a person, place, or thing:
Rasputin, the evil genius of Russian politics.
Islamic Mythology. jinn; genie.
genie ( def 3 ).

genius

/ ˈdʒiːnɪəs; -njəs /

a person with exceptional ability, esp of a highly original kind
such ability or capacity
Mozart's musical genius
the distinctive spirit or creative nature of a nation, era, language, etc
a person considered as exerting great influence of a certain sort
an evil genius
Roman myth
1. the guiding spirit who attends a person from birth to death
2. the guardian spirit of a place, group of people, or institution
Arabian myth usually plural a demon; jinn

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Origin of genius¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin: “tutelary deity or genius of a person”; genus

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Origin of genius¹

C16: from Latin, from gignere to beget

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