polymath
noun
poly·math ˈpä-lē-ˌmath 
: a person of encyclopedic learning
polymath adjective
or polymathic
ˌpä-lē-ˈma-thik
polymathy
pə-ˈli-mə-thē ˈpä-lə-ˌma-thē
noun ˈpä-lə-ˌma-thē 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Clemmer was described as something of a polymath: his experience included starting software companies, designing helicopter systems, and renovating wooden boats. 
John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 The satellite, which was named after Omar Khayyam, a 11th Century Persian astronomer and polymath, has already started beaming data to Iran’s space agency, according to IRNA. Bojan Pancevski, WSJ, 9 Aug. 2022 As someone who finds time to play with metro big bands in Virginia these days, the 48-year-old polymath is a pure musician who continues to keep his skills sharp. Eric Diep, Billboard, 31 May 2022 The artistic director of the entire project is the enigmatic polymath Philippe Starck. Nick Remsen, CNN, 12 July 2022 And the genre- and gender- defying polymath Janelle Monáe played grand marshal in a parade featuring a surprise appearance by superstar Cardi B. Sonja Sharpstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2022 Le Prince was a polymath who was born in France, worked in England, and became a naturalized American. Terry W. Hartle, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 May 2022 But outside of her role as a politician, Abrams is a polymath of sorts. Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2022 The groundbreaking feminist artist Judy Chicago is something of an art polymath. oregonlive, 24 Mar. 2022 See More
John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 30 July 2022 The satellite, which was named after Omar Khayyam, a 11th Century Persian astronomer and polymath, has already started beaming data to Iran’s space agency, according to IRNA. Bojan Pancevski, WSJ, 9 Aug. 2022 As someone who finds time to play with metro big bands in Virginia these days, the 48-year-old polymath is a pure musician who continues to keep his skills sharp. Eric Diep, Billboard, 31 May 2022 The artistic director of the entire project is the enigmatic polymath Philippe Starck. Nick Remsen, CNN, 12 July 2022 And the genre- and gender- defying polymath Janelle Monáe played grand marshal in a parade featuring a surprise appearance by superstar Cardi B. Sonja Sharpstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2022 Le Prince was a polymath who was born in France, worked in England, and became a naturalized American. Terry W. Hartle, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 May 2022 But outside of her role as a politician, Abrams is a polymath of sorts. Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2022 The groundbreaking feminist artist Judy Chicago is something of an art polymath. oregonlive, 24 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Greek polymathēs very learned, from poly- + manthanein to learn — more at mathematical
First Known Use
1621, in the meaning defined above
polymaths
noun
as in genii
formal someone who knows a lot about many different things She is rightly regarded as something of a polymath in her extensive knowledge of all the earth sciences. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- genii
- geniuses
- virtuosos
- thinkers
- virtuosi
- intellects
- intellectuals
- wizards
- savants
- brainiacs
- sages
- brains
- bluestockings
- masters
- highbrows
- whizzes
- blues
- nerds
- geeks
- wizzes
- Renaissance women
- polyhistors
- Renaissance men
- longhairs
- naturals
- crackerjacks
- crackajacks
- aces
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- illiterates
- ignoramuses
- philistines
- lowbrows
- ignorami
- know-nothings
- fools
- idiots
- asses
- anti-intellectuals
- donkeys
- imbeciles
- blockheads
- morons
- jackasses
- dunces
- numbskulls
- dolts
- numskulls
- dopes
- pinheads
- knuckleheads
- dummies
- dodos
- nitwits
- goons
- hammerheads
- fatheads
- dumbbells
- half-wits
- dodoes