polymath

noun

poly·​math ˈpä-lē-ˌmath How to pronounce polymath (audio)
: a person of encyclopedic learning
polymath adjective
or polymathic

Examples of polymath in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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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. Michael S. Rosenwald, New York Times, 29 May 2024 Any conversation about living legends still shining in the celestial firmament must include chart-smashing polymath Ms. Ross. Eric Webb, Austin American-Statesman, 28 Feb. 2024 With his polymath mind, compelling him to delve into ancient Greek, Tamil, and the intricacies of modern medicine, Marsh might have done many things. Terry Dawson, Austin American-Statesman, 31 July 2024 Jones, the legendary polymath who died at age 91 on Sunday, spent a lifetime making music like this—music that defined its era by transcending it. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for polymath 

Word History

Etymology

Greek polymathēs very learned, from poly- + manthanein to learn — more at mathematical

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of polymath was in 1621

Dictionary Entries Near polymath

Cite this Entry

“Polymath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polymath. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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