talent Definition
tal·ent (tal′ənt)
noun
- 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.
- any natural ability or power; natural endowment
- a superior, apparently natural ability in the arts or sciences or in the learning or doing of anything
- 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
talent Synonyms
talent
n.
A gift
aptitude, faculty, gift, genius, facility, skill, capability, expertise, inventiveness, turn, forte, knack*; see also ability 1, 2.*A famous person
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
- ‹ talebearer
- ‹ tale
- ‹ talcum (powder)
- ‹ talcum
- ‹ talcose
- ‹ Talcahuano
- ‹ Talca
- ‹ talc
- ‹ Talbot, Godfrey Walker
- ‹ talaria
- talent scout ›
- talented ›
- taler ›
- tales ›
- Talese, Gay ›
- talesman ›
- taleteller ›
- tali ›
- Taliban ›
- Talien ›

