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

Examples of polymath in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Richard Ellis, a polymath of marine life whose paintings, books and museum installations — especially the life-size blue whale at the American Museum of Natural History in New York — revealed the beauty and wonders of the ocean, died on May 21 in Norwood, N.J. —Michael S. Rosenwald, New York Times, 29 May 2024

Any conversation about living legends still shining in the celestial firmament must include chart-smashing polymath Ms. Ross. —Eric Webb, Austin American-Statesman, 28 Feb. 2024

With his polymath mind, compelling him to delve into ancient Greek, Tamil, and the intricacies of modern medicine, Marsh might have done many things. —Terry Dawson, Austin American-Statesman, 31 July 2024

Jones, the legendary polymath who died at age 91 on Sunday, spent a lifetime making music like this—music that defined its era by transcending it. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek polymathēs very learned, from poly- + manthanein to learn — more at mathematical

First Known Use

1621, in the meaning defined above