Talented

Talented is an adjective used to describe someone who has a natural ability or well-developed skill in a particular area. It can refer to both innate potential and earned achievement, depending on context. The term is widely used across disciplines such as the arts, sciences, sports, and business, and it is often applied to individuals who perform at a level beyond the average for their age or experience.

Etymology and form: The word talent originates from Old French talent and Latin talentum, originally meaning a sum of weight or a unit of measure; by extension it came to signify ability. The English adjective talented is formed by adding the suffix -ed to talent, yielding someone who possesses talent. The noun talent remains common for the capacity itself.

Usage and nuance: Talented is a judgment about ability that often carries a positive valence. It can denote proven skill or potential, depending on evidence. Some linguists distinguish talented (implies demonstrated skill) from gifted (often implying an intrinsic endowment). In practice the word is widely used for individuals in many domains, often with modifiers such as highly or exceptionally to intensify the assessment.

See also: gifted, skilled, proficient, talent.