Wunderkind

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈvÊŠn.dÉ™.kɪnd/, /ˈwÊŠn.dÉ™.kɪnd/
• US IPA: /ˈvÊŠn.dÉš.kɪnt/, /ˈwÊŠn.dÉš.kɪnd/

Origin

From German Wunderkind, from Wunder ("wonder") + Kind ("child").

Full definition of wunderkind

Noun

1. A child prodigy; a phenom.
2. A highly talented or gifted individual; one who is successful at a young age.
• 2009, January 28, Ravi Somaiya , It’s the Economy, Girlfriend, Harriet Pappenheim, a psychotherapist at Park Avenue Relationship Consultants who wrote “For Richer or Poorer,” a 2006 book on money in marriage, said that the repercussions could be acute for Wall Street wunderkinds who define their identities through their job titles and the size of their bonuses.

Usage notes

The etymologically-consistent plural form wunderkinder is considerably more common than the Anglicised plural form wunderkinds.

Google Fight: wunderkinder vs. wunderkinds

Synonyms