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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Grammy-winning polymath announced his Based on a True Story Summer Tour on Monday (March 17), which will hit major cities in the U.K. and Europe this summer. Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 17 Mar. 2025 Renaissance polymath Leonardo da Vinci observed tree growth and came up with his own mathematical rule for painting trees. Katie Hunt, CNN, 14 Mar. 2025 Saxophonist-bandleader Tim Berne is one of my favorite musical polymaths. Bret Saunders, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025 This is apparent in the story of yet another polymath, this time, movie director Stanley Kubrick. Michael Ashley, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Polymath.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polymath. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

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