talent
10 synonyms and 2 antonyms for talent, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A natural ability to do something well.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use talent
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a talent for something
natural talent
raw talent
spot talent
Etymology
From Latin talentum, originally a unit of weight and money in ancient Greece; the modern sense of "natural ability" grew out of the biblical Parable of the Talents, where the word meant a sum of money entrusted to servants.
Full origin of talent →Frequently asked questions
What does “talent” mean?
The word “talent” means a natural ability to do something well. In plain terms, a natural skill or gift, or the people who have one.
How do you pronounce “talent”?
“Talent” is pronounced TA-luhnt (/ˈtælənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “talent” in a sentence?
Here is “talent” used in a sentence: “He showed a real talent for painting from a young age.”
What part of speech is “talent”?
“Talent” is a noun.
Where does the word “talent” come from?
The word “talent” comes from Latin.
Is “talent” a common word?
“Talent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “talent” have?
“Talent” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a natural ability to do something well.
What is the difference between talent and skill?
Talent is a natural ability you are born with — an inbuilt aptitude that makes something come easily. Skill is ability built through practice, training and experience. The two work together: raw talent gives a head start, but it usually needs to be developed into skill before it produces real, reliable results.
Can talent be learned or developed?
A natural talent cannot really be learned from scratch, but it can be developed enormously. Practice, coaching and effort sharpen raw ability and turn it into polished skill. Many people with modest talent outperform naturally gifted ones through sheer work, which is why talent is best seen as a starting point, not a finished result.
What are examples of talent?
Talent shows up in many forms: musical talent for playing an instrument by ear, athletic talent for sport, or a talent for languages, drawing, maths or public speaking. Some people have a natural gift for leadership or making others laugh. Any field where certain people simply excel with ease reveals a talent.
