Genius vs. Talent — What's the Difference?

A person endowed with extraordinary mental superiority.

A natural aptitude or skill.

An influential character or spirit.

Natural aptitude or skill

A penchant or aptitude for something.

A former weight and unit of currency, used especially by the ancient Romans and Greeks

Notable capacity to create innovative ideas.

A marked innate ability, as for artistic accomplishment

A genius is a person who displays exceptional intellectual ability, creative productivity, universality in genres, or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of new discoveries or advances in a domain of knowledge. Geniuses may be polymaths who excel across many diverse subjects or may show high achievements in only a single kind of activity.There is no scientifically precise definition of a genius.

Natural endowment or ability of a superior quality

Extraordinary intellectual and creative power

A person or group of people having such ability

A person of extraordinary intellect and talent.

A variable unit of weight and money used in ancient Greece, Rome, and the Middle East.

A person who has an exceptionally high intelligence quotient, typically above 140.

A marked natural ability or skill.

A strong natural talent, aptitude, or inclination

(historical) A unit of weight and money used in ancient times in Greece, the Roman Empire, and the Middle East, equal to about 30 to 60 kg in various times and places.

One who has such a talent or inclination

(obsolete) A desire or inclination for something.

The prevailing spirit or distinctive character, as of a place, a person, or an era

People of talent, viewed collectively; a talented person.

Pl. ge·ni·i (jēnē-ī′) Roman Mythology A tutelary deity or guardian spirit of a person or place.

(slang) The men or (especially) women of a place or area, judged by their attractiveness.

Someone possessing extraordinary intelligence or skill; especially somebody who has demonstrated this by a creative or original work in science, music, art etc.

Among the ancient Greeks, a weight and a denomination of money equal to 60 minæ or 6,000 drachmæ. The Attic talent, as a weight, was about 57 lbs. avoirdupois; as a denomination of silver money, its value was £243 15s. sterling, or about $1,180.

Extraordinary mental capacity.

Among the Hebrews, a weight and denomination of money. For silver it was equivalent to 3,000 shekels, and in weight was equal to about 93 lbs. avoirdupois; as a denomination of silver, it has been variously estimated at from £340 to £396 sterling, or about $1,645 to $1,916. For gold it was equal to 10,000 gold shekels.

Inspiration, a mental leap, an extraordinary creative process.

Inclination; will; disposition; desire.

The tutelary deity or spirit of a place or person.

Intellectual ability, natural or acquired; mental endowment or capacity; skill in accomplishing; a special gift, particularly in business, art, or the like; faculty; a use of the word probably originating in the Scripture parable of the talents (Matt. xxv. 14-30).

(informal) Ingenious, brilliant, very clever, or original.

Natural qualities or talents

A good or evil spirit, or demon, supposed by the ancients to preside over a man's destiny in life; a tutelary deity; a supernatural being; a spirit, good or bad. Cf. Jinnee.

A person who possesses unusual innate ability in some field or activity

The peculiar structure of mind with which each individual is endowed by nature; that disposition or aptitude of mind which is peculiar to each man, and which qualifies him for certain kinds of action or special success in any pursuit; special taste, inclination, or disposition; as, a genius for history, for poetry, or painting.

A group of people with a particular aptitude.

Peculiar character; animating spirit, as of a nation, a religion, a language.

An ancient unit of weight and money.

Distinguished mental superiority; uncommon intellectual power; especially, superior power of invention or origination of any kind, or of forming new combinations; as, a man of genius.

Innate capability in particular activity.

A man endowed with uncommon vigor of mind; a man of superior intellectual faculties and creativity; as, Shakespeare was a rare genius.

A person or persons possessing a skill.

Someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality;

Unusual mental ability

Someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field

Exceptional creative ability

A natural talent;

Exceptional intellectual or creative power.

While both are valued, genius is often mystified, while talent is admired and seen as understandable.

Genius typically implies a broader aptitude, while talent often pertains to specific skills.

Yes, a person might be a genius in a broad sense and also exhibit specific talents.

A genius may possess talent, but their defining qualities might extend beyond specific aptitudes.

Yes, one might have a talent for mathematics, languages, or other academic areas.

Not always, talents can emerge or be recognized at any stage of life.

Often yes, but genius might be recognized even without widespread acknowledgment or tangible achievements.

Not necessarily, genius might reflect creativity or insight, not just high IQ.

Yes, talent often mixes natural aptitude with dedicated practice and refinement.

Not necessarily, as success can depend on various factors, not just intellectual or creative prowess.

There are IQ tests and other assessments, but identifying genius can be complex and multifaceted.

Genius may be identified through exceptional creativity, insight, or intellectual achievements.

Yes, without cultivation or opportunity, talent may not be fully realized.

Yes, an individual may exhibit talents across various unrelated domains.

Generally yes, talents can emerge in virtually any field or activity where skill can be demonstrated and refined.