talent

noun

tal·​ent ˈta-lənt How to pronounce talent (audio)
Synonyms of talentnext
1
a
: a special often athletic, creative, or artistic aptitude
b
: general intelligence or mental power : ability
2
: the natural endowments of a person
3
: a person of talent or a group of persons of talent in a field or activity
4
a
: any of several ancient units of weight
b
: a unit of value equal to the value of a talent of gold or silver
5
archaic : a characteristic feature, aptitude, or disposition of a person or animal
talented
ˈta-lən-təd How to pronounce talent (audio)
adjective
talentless
ˈta-lənt-ləs How to pronounce talent (audio)
adjective

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for talent

gift, faculty, aptitude, bent, talent, genius, knack mean a special ability for doing something.

gift often implies special favor by God or nature.

the gift of singing beautifully

faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function.

a faculty for remembering names

aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it.

a mechanical aptitude

bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability.

a family with an artistic bent

talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed.

has enough talent to succeed

genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability.

has no great genius for poetry

knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance.

the knack of getting along

Examples of talent in a Sentence

a singer with an enormous amount of talent I have no musical talent. Her artistic talent has been obvious ever since she was a child. They sang a duet in the talent show.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Either way, landing this pick is their best chance to add another high-level talent to their current core. — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 Though the Cubs have outfield depth with Seiya Suzuki and more young talent in the minors, losing Happ for an extended period would sting. — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 12 May 2025 The popular convention skipped a 2024 gathering — needing the network’s talent roster to refresh — and opted to announce the 2025 dates in April 2024. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 12 May 2025 For international film journalists, the festival is an opportunity to see and discuss these films and, in that context, interview these talents. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for talent

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English talente, from Latin talenta, plural of talentum unit of weight or money, from Greek talanton pan of a scale, weight; akin to Greek tlēnai to bear; in senses 3–5, from the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14–30 — more at tolerate

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Time Traveler
The first known use of talent was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing talent

Rhymes for talent

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Browse Nearby Words

taleisim
talent
talent scout
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Talent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/talent. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

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Kids Definition

talent

noun
tal·​ent ˈtal-ənt How to pronounce talent (audio)
1
: an ancient unit of weight and money
2
: the natural abilities of a person
3
: a special often athletic, creative, or artistic ability
4
: persons of talent in a field or activity
talented
-ən-təd How to pronounce talent (audio)
adjective
Etymology

Middle English talent "an ancient unit of weight and money"; in sense 1 from Old English talente (same meaning), from Latin talenta, plural of talentum "unit of weight or money," from Greek talanton "pan of a scale, weight"; in senses 2–4 so called from the parable of the talents told by Jesus (Matthew 25:14–30)

More from Merriam-Webster on talent

Nglish: Translation of talent for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about talent

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