Meaning & Definition of word "Savant"

Savant

/səˈvænt/

noun:

  • 1. A person who is exceptionally knowledgeable in a particular field.
    • Example: The medical savant was able to diagnose rare diseases with astonishing accuracy.
  • 2. A learned person, especially a distinguished scientist or scholar.
    • Example: As a savant in physics, his contributions to theoretical research have been groundbreaking.
  • 3. A person with profound or extensive knowledge, often in a specialized area, who may also have a mental disability.
    • Example: Despite his challenges, he was a musical savant, composing symphonies that captivated audiences.

Etymology

French, from the verb 'savoir' meaning 'to know'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

savant syndrome:

A condition in which a person with a developmental disability demonstrates profound expertise in a particular area.

savant vocabulary:

A specialized or advanced level of language used by experts in a specific field.

Related Words

prodigy:

A young person with exceptional qualities or abilities.

intellect:

The faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively.

maestro:

A distinguished conductor or teacher of music.

Slang Meanings of savant

Meaning: A term used to refer to someone who is exceptionally talented in a niche area.

Example Sentence: He's a coding savant; he can write complex algorithms without any help.

Meaning: Used informally to describe someone who seems to know a lot about a specific subject.

Example Sentence: She's a history savant; you can ask her anything about ancient civilizations.