talent Hear it!

talent Definition

tal·ent (talənt)

noun

  1. any of various large units of weight or of money (the value of a talent weight in gold, silver, etc.) used in ancient Greece, Rome, the Middle East, etc.
  2. any natural ability or power; natural endowment
  3. a superior, apparently natural ability in the arts or sciences or in the learning or doing of anything
  4. people collectively, or a person, with talent to encourage young talent

Etymology: ME < OE talente < L talentum, a coin, orig., unit of weight < Gr talanton, a unit of money, weight, orig., a balance < IE base *tel-, to lift up, weigh, bear > tolerate: senses 2-4 from the parable of the talents (Matt: 25:14-30)

talent Related Forms

tal·ented adjective

talent Synonyms

talent

n.

  1. A gift

    aptitude, faculty, gift, genius, facility, skill, capability, expertise, inventiveness, turn, forte, knack*; see also ability 1, 2.

  2. *A famous person

    celebrity, notable, find*; see star 3.

talent implies an apparently native ability for a specific pursuit and connotes either that it is or can be cultivated by the one possessing it a talent for drawing; gift suggests that a special ability is bestowed upon one, as by nature, and not acquired through effort a gift for making plants grow; aptitude implies a natural inclination for a particular work, specif. as pointing to special fitness for, or probable success in, it aptitude tests; faculty implies a special ability that is either inherent or acquired, as well as a ready ease in its exercise the faculty of judgment; knack implies an acquired faculty for doing something cleverly and skillfully the knack of rhyming; genius implies an inborn mental endowment, specif. of a creative or inventive kind in the arts or sciences, that is exceptional or phenomenal the genius of Edison

talent Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • nurture: His idea for a school to nurture talent outside the commercial sector was first discussed in the early 1990s.
  • emerge: On the Cross takes a look at the production line of emerging talent at Saints.
  • songwrite: Compiled by Keith himself, this is a first look into the world of a major songwriting talent!
  • showcase: A great film nonetheless showcasing the talents of gore guru Tom Savini.
  • attract: The Association also works with its members to attract the top talent into the industry.

Adjective modifier

  • artistic: Road safety minded youngsters are being invited to let their artistic talents shine for the chance to win a signed Preston North End shirt.
  • musical: Valkyrie's musical talent first revealed itself at a similar time.
  • creative: How do you nurture the nation's foremost creative talent?
  • raw: I tried to is raw natural talent actual reductions in.
  • vocal: Marshall combines her vocal talents with her acting background to create the Magic of the Great Divas in her exciting cabaret show.
  • home-grown: Destination Scotland Scotland's first priority is to nurture and retain home-grown talent by striving to meet hopes and aspirations.

Modifies a noun

  • scout: It later plays an important role by bringing many names to light through its talent scouts.
  • spotter: LTA talent spotters will be on the look out for kids who possess the innate sporting potential to be a future tennis champion.
  • contest: He later developed a taste for secular music and entered numerous talent contests, eventually landing a record deal with Fantasy in 1968.
  • r-mo: James talent r-mo about the price receipt family size.

Noun used with modifier

  • footballing: Daniel: Do your sons, Brooklyn and Romeo, show any signs of footballing talent?
  • film-making: This success demonstrates the great story-telling and film-making talent that we have in the UK.
  • sporting: I hope your readers will support this dinner and join me for a celebration of Welsh sporting talent on the 28th February 2004.
  • singing: Compiled by: Jack Foley Q. Yet again, you're showing off your singing talents at the end of this film.
  • screenwriting: The Script Factory has become one of Europe's leading development organizations working to support screenwriters by finding and developing new screenwriting talent.

Browse dictionary entries near talent

  1. talebearer
  2. tale
  3. talcum (powder)
  4. talcum
  5. talcose
  6. Talcahuano
  7. Talca
  8. talc
  9. Talbot, Godfrey Walker
  10. talaria
  1. talent scout
  2. talented
  3. taler
  4. tales
  5. Talese, Gay
  6. talesman
  7. taleteller
  8. tali
  9. Taliban
  10. Talien