Etymology Map
Back to all words

Prodigy

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a person with exceptional abilities

Where does the word "prodigy" come from? It comes from Latin prodigium, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
prodigium
Latin · ancient
"omen, portent"
a sign of future events
2
Stage 2 of 2
prodigy
English · 1400s
"omen"
'child prodigy' dates from the 1800s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Prodigy’s story begins in Latin: prodigium meant “omen, portent.” A sign of future events. It reached English by 1400s as prodigy. 'child prodigy' dates from the 1800s. Today, prodigy means a person with exceptional abilities.