talent (ˈtælənt
)
Definitions
noun
- innate ability, aptitude, or faculty, esp when unspecified; above average ability ⇒
a talent for cooking
a child with talent
- a person or persons possessing such ability
- any of various ancient units of weight and money
- informal members of the opposite sex collectively, esp those living in a particular place ⇒
the local talent
- an obsolete word for inclination
Alternative Forms
ˈtalented adjectiveWord Origin
Old English talente, from Latin talenta, pl of talentum sum of money, from Greek talanton unit of money or weight; in Medieval Latin the sense was extended to ability through the influence of the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30)Quotations
"Talent is like electricity. We don't understand electricity. We use it"
"Genius does what it must, and talent does what it can"
"Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius"
Translations
- British English:
talent
Talent is the natural ability to do something well.Both her children show exceptional musical talent.ˈtælənt NOUN Both her children show exceptional musical talent.
- Spanish:
talento
nm
- French:
talent
nm
- German:
Talent
nnt
- Chinese: 天才 n
- Arabic: مَوْهِبَة n
- Portuguese: talento nm
- Russian: талант nm
- Croatian: talent nm
- Czech: talent nm
- Danish: talent nnt
- Dutch: talent nnt
- Finnish: lahjakkuus n
- Greek: ταλέντο nnt
- Italian: talento nm
- Japanese: 才能 n
- Korean: 재능 n
- Norwegian: talent nnt
- Polish: talent nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: talento nm
- European Spanish:
talento
nm
- Swedish: talang nutr
- Thai: ความสามารถพิเศษ n
- Turkish: yetenek n
- Vietnamese: năng khiếu n
Usage examples
I've been the only one who's understood you: your sensitivity, your imagination, your wonderful talent.
, Murky Shallows (1987)It did take a bit of digging around to uncover the new talent.
Irish Times (2002)In addition to his comic talent he is also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist.
Glasgow Herald (2001)Percy Grainger was born in Melbourne in 1882, and showed exceptional musical talent from early childhood.
, THE MEDICAL MYSTERIES E-OMNIBUS (2001)