wunderkind
|wun-der-kind|
🇺🇸
/ˈvʊndərkɪnd/
🇬🇧
/ˈvʊndəkɪnd/
exceptionally talented young people
Etymology
'wunderkind' originates from German, specifically the word 'Wunderkind', where 'Wunder' meant 'wonder' and 'Kind' meant 'child'.
'wunderkind' was borrowed into English from German in the late 19th century with little change in form, entering English usage to describe exceptionally talented children.
Initially it meant 'wonder child' referring specifically to precocious children, but over time it has also been used more broadly for young people (or occasionally adults) who achieve early success, while retaining the original sense.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a child who is exceptionally talented or precocious in a particular field; a child prodigy.
The wunderkind dazzled the audience with his piano playing at age 10.
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Noun 2
a person (often young) who achieves great success or prominence at an early age; sometimes used metaphorically for young achievers who are not children.
She was hailed as a wunderkind in the tech world after founding a startup at 19.
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Last updated: 2025/09/27 01:46