polymath

[ pol-ee-math ]

noun

1. a person of great learning in several fields of study; polyhistor.

polymath

/ ˈpɒlɪˌmæθ; pəˈlɪməθɪ /

noun

1. a person of great and varied learning

Derived Forms

• polymathy, noun
• ˌpolyˈmathic, adjective

Other Words From

• poly·mathic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of polymath¹

1615–25; < Greek polymathḗs learned, having learned much, equivalent to poly- poly- + -mathēs, adj. derivative of manthánein to learn

Word History and Origins

Origin of polymath¹

C17: from Greek polumathēs having much knowledge

Example Sentences

For all we know, Eric’s payback may be as much about that horse as Shelly, a thinly realized character who will ultimately neither help nor harm twigs’ brand as an entrancing art polymath.

From Los Angeles Times

And fellow co-founder of Autonomy, David Tabizel, called Mr Lynch a "human supercomputer" and a great polymath with an inquisitive mind.

From BBC

Her father, a brilliant musical polymath and beloved guitar hero, was a workaholic and thus a fleeting presence.

From Los Angeles Times

Goldsmith's history of combining concepts from disparate scientific fields was recognized in 2022 with a Polymath award from Schmidt Futures.

From Science Daily

Richard Ellis, a polymath of marine life whose paintings, books and museum installations — especially the life-size blue whale at the American Museum of Natural History in New York — revealed the beauty and wonders of the ocean, died on May 21 in Norwood, N.J.

From New York Times

Related Words

• accomplished
• educated
• scholarly
• scientific
• studied
• well-educated