gaon
9.9
A very intelligent or talented person admired for great skill
- noun
- /ɡɑːˈoʊn/
- Jargon
:
genio
- The young musician is considered a gaon for her extraordinary talent in composing.
Examples
-
He is a math gaon, solving complex problems that others find impossible.
-
In the world of technology, she is hailed as a gaon for her innovative ideas.
-
Maybe I could do it with a pun on goon and gaon, genius.
Fiction book (1991)
Synonyms
genius
vsgaon
A person with very strong intelligence or creative skill
is mainly a culturally specific term used in modern Hebrew
brain
vsgaon
A person who thinks of the main ideas for a plan
is a more formal and culturally marked label for exceptional ability
savant
vsgaon
A person with very great knowledge or skill in one subject
is a broader label for exceptional ability across talents not only scholarly
A very smart person who is especially good in one subject
is a general term for exceptional talent across contexts
How Talented
gaon
- Jargon
prodigy
51
6.7
Surface Forms
Etymology
Gaon comes from the Hebrew word ga'on, which means 'pride' or 'greatness'. A helpful way to remember it is that this word was used for someone of top ability, so today gaon means a very clever person or 'genius'.