prodigy

A prodigy is a person, usually a child or young adult, who demonstrates abilities or achievements far beyond what is typical for their age. Prodigies emerge across fields such as music, mathematics, chess, sports, and the arts, and their early skills are often accompanied by intense practice, early public performance, or formal training.

The term has Latin roots in prodigium, meaning an extraordinary omen or marvel. In modern usage it emphasizes early emergence and rapid development of talent rather than merely gifted potential. Notable examples often cited include composers Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Frédéric Chopin, mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, and chess player Judit Polgár, all recognized for remarkable achievements during childhood or adolescence.

In popular culture, prodigy is also used as a title or name. The Prodigy is a British electronic music group formed in 1990 that achieved international fame, while "prodigy" appears in various media to evoke extraordinary skill in young performers or fictional characters.

Notes: The label "prodigy" does not guarantee long-term success; many prodigies require continued development, opportunity, and support to fulfil their potential.