genius
/'dʤenitiv/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. Exceptional natural ability or talent: An innate, outstanding aptitude for a particular activity or field of thought. 2. A person possessing such exceptional ability: An individual with extraordinary intellectual power, creativity, or skill, especially one who achieves original and influential work. 3. (Often genius) The prevailing spirit, character, or distinctive quality of a place, period, or group.
Examples of Usage
- Meaning 1 (Exceptional ability):
- She has a genius for languages, picking them up with incredible ease.
- His genius lay in his ability to simplify complex ideas.
- Meaning 2 (Exceptional person):
- Leonardo da Vinci is often considered a universal genius.
- The young genius composed her first symphony at age seven.
- Meaning 3 (Prevailing spirit):
- The genius of the Renaissance was a spirit of inquiry and humanism.
- This design captures the genius of modern Scandinavian architecture.
Advanced Usage
- "stroke of genius": A brilliantly original and effective idea or action.
- Using recycled materials for the sculpture was a stroke of genius.
- "evil genius": A person who is a source of wicked or harmful influence, or a brilliantly cunning villain.
- In the story, the hero must defeat his evil genius.
- "to have a genius for (something)": To possess a natural, exceptional talent for a specific thing.
- He has a genius for making people feel at ease.
Variants and Related Words
- Genius loci (noun phrase, Latin): The distinctive atmosphere or pervading spirit of a place.
- The quiet garden had a peaceful genius loci.
- Genial (adjective): Friendly and cheerful. (Note: While historically related, its modern meaning is distinct from "genius").
- Ingenious (adjective): Clever, original, and inventive.
- She found an ingenious solution to the problem.
Synonyms
- Prodigy: A person, especially a young one, with exceptional talents or abilities.
- Mastermind: A person with an outstanding intellect, especially one who plans and directs a complex project.
- Virtuoso: A person highly skilled in a particular art, especially music.
- Brilliance: Exceptional intelligence or talent.
Antonyms
- Dullard: A slow or stupid person.
- Mediocrity: The quality of being average or ordinary.
- Simpleton: A person lacking in common sense or intelligence.
Idioms and Phrases
- "The genius of (something)": The clever, essential, or most admirable quality of something.
- The genius of the plan is its simplicity.
Noun
- a natural talent
- he has a flair for mathematics
- he has a genius for interior decorating
- exceptional creative ability
- someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
- unusual mental ability
- someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
- Mozart was a child genius
- he's smart but he's no Einstein