Etymology Map
Back to all words

Genius

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means exceptional intellectual or creative ability; a person with it

Where does the word "genius" come from? It comes from Latin genius, adopted directly into English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
genius
Latin · ancient
"guardian spirit"
a guardian spirit present from birth, from 'gignere', to beget
2
Stage 2 of 2
genius
English · 1600s
"inborn talent; later a brilliant person"
moved from an attendant spirit to natural talent; later, applied to a person of exceptional ability
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Genius’s story begins in Latin: genius meant “guardian spirit.” A guardian spirit present from birth, from 'gignere', to beget. It reached English by 1600s as genius. Moved from an attendant spirit to natural talent; later, applied to a person of exceptional ability. Today, genius means exceptional intellectual or creative ability; a person with it.