savant

noun

sa·​vant sa-ˈvänt 

sə-,

-ˈväⁿ;

sə-ˈvant,

ˈsa-vənt

1

: a person of learning

especially : one with detailed knowledge in some specialized field (as of science or literature)

2

: a person affected with a developmental disability (such as autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disability) who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field (such as mathematics or music)

especially : autistic savant see also savant syndrome

Did you know?

Word-loving Homo sapiens will appreciate how much there is to know about savant. For one, savant comes ultimately from the Latin word sapere (“to be wise”) by way of Middle French, where savant is the present participle of savoir, meaning “to know.” Second, savant shares roots with the English words sapient (“possessing great wisdom”) and sage (“very wise”) (as well as Homo sapiens). Finally, the term is sometimes used to refer to a person who demonstrates extraordinary knowledge in a particular subject or has an extraordinary ability to perform a particular task (such as complex mathematics) but has more limited capacities in other areas.

Synonyms

• pundit
• sage
• scholar

Examples of savant in a Sentence

a savant in the field of medical ethics

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet under the leadership of director Bridget Finn, a former gallerist and art market savant, this year marks a new chapter for the fair, as Finn sets out to strengthen Art Basel’s role as a connector for art across the Americas. —Salomé Gómez-Upegui, Vogue, 7 Dec. 2024

This is heaven for a player like Iga Swiatek, the world No. 1 and a clay-court savant. —Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 18 July 2024

Don’t let the butterfly neck tattoo fool you, as Yoshi goes toe-to-toe with the lyrical savant while detailing her explosive rage. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 25 Nov. 2024

Welsh singer-songwriter and studio savant Cate Le Bon, who also produced Wilco’s most recent album. —Simon Vozick-Levinson, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French, from present participle of savoir to know, from Latin sapere to be wise — more at sage

First Known Use

1719, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing savant

• autistic savant
• idiot savant
• savant syndrome

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Kids Definition

savant

noun

sa·​vant sa-ˈvänt 

-ˈvän;

sə-ˈvant,

ˈsav-ənt

1

: scholar sense 2b

2

: a person affected with a developmental disorder (such as autism or intellectual disability) who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field (such as mathematics or music)

Etymology

from French savant, a form of the verb savoir "to know," from Latin sapere "to be wise, taste, have good taste" — related to insipid, sage entry 1

Medical Definition

savant

noun

sa·​vant sa-ˈvänt, sə-, -ˈvant 

: a person affected with a developmental disorder (as autism or intellectual disability) who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field (as mathematics or music)

especially : autistic savant see savant syndrome