genius
gb/d͡ʒˈinjəs/ us/d͡ʒˈinjəs/
B1
English
~ 8200
zseni, lángelme, nagy elme, zsenialitás, tehetség, érzék, zseniális, észlény, szellem, szellemiség, védőszellem, géniusz
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a genius
Everyone knew she was a genius long before she published her first paper.
Mindenki tudta róla, hogy zseni, már jóval azelőtt, hogy megjelent volna az első tanulmánya.
The company hired a young tech genius to rebuild their entire system.
A cég felvett egy fiatal informatikai zsenit, hogy újraépítse a teljes rendszerüket.
Einstein is often described as a scientific genius.
People thought he was strange at school, but now they call him a business genius.
The film follows the life of a child genius who struggles to fit in.
Learner examples
My brother is a genius at math.
A bátyám zseni matematikából.
They say Marie Curie was a genius.
Azt mondják, Marie Curie zseni volt.
The new student is a real genius.
Our teacher is a language genius.
Everyone thinks the inventor is a genius.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"He is genius"* without an article. In this sense, English usually needs an article: *"He is a genius."* Use *"a genius"* for a person, and reserve article‑less *"genius"* mainly for talking about the quality itself (e.g. *"Her genius is clear"*).
Meaning
person of very great intelligence
Collocations
child genius
|musical genius
|scientific genius
|born genius
|unrecognized genius
|a real genius
Synonyms
prodigy (Often used for a very talented young person, especially a child, rather than any age.)
|
mastermind (Emphasizes someone who plans or controls complex things, especially in business or crime, not always general intelligence.)
Antonyms
fool (Describes someone who behaves in a very stupid way, the opposite of a very intelligent person.)
|
simpleton (A mild, somewhat old‑fashioned word for a very stupid or easily tricked person.)
Themes
people
|education
|work
|art
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who is extremely intelligent or very, very good at thinking or creating new things.
A person who shows extraordinarily high intellectual or creative ability, far above the average.
NOUN
B2
2
zsenialitás
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s genius; a work of genius
Her musical genius is obvious from the first note.
Zenei zsenialitása már az első hangtól nyilvánvaló.
The novel is a work of genius that changed modern fiction.
A regény zseniális alkotás, amely megváltoztatta a modern prózát.
The software shows real genius in the way it hides complexity from the user.
Many people doubted him, but the project revealed his true genius.
The building’s design is pure genius, combining beauty and practicality.
Learner examples
Everyone admires her genius as a painter.
Mindenki csodálja festői zsenialitását.
This song is a work of genius.
Ez a dal zseniális alkotás.
The plan shows real genius.
People talked about the genius of his idea.
The film shows the director’s genius.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *"a genius"* (a person) with *"genius"* (the quality). Say *"She is a genius"* for the person, but *"Her genius is clear"* or *"This is a work of genius"* for the quality.
Meaning
exceptional intelligence or creativity
Collocations
her genius
|creative genius
|work of genius
|stroke of genius
|pure genius
|undeniable genius
Synonyms
brilliance (Stresses bright, impressive intelligence or talent, especially in thinking or performance.)
|
ingenuity (Focuses on clever invention and original problem‑solving rather than general high intelligence.)
Antonyms
mediocrity (Describes average, unremarkable quality, the opposite of outstanding genius.)
|
stupidity (Emphasizes very low intelligence, directly contrasting with very high intelligence.)
Themes
art
|education
|work
|evaluation
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very great mental power or creativity, as a special quality that a person or a piece of work can have.
Extraordinarily high intellectual or creative power, seen as a personal quality or as shown in a piece of work.
NOUN
C1
3
Usage pattern:
a genius for [something]
He has a genius for languages and picks them up very quickly.
Her genius for storytelling keeps children quiet for hours.
The chef’s genius for simple flavors made the restaurant famous.
She shows a real genius for organization and planning.
The comedian’s genius for timing turns ordinary jokes into something special.
Learner examples
My sister has a genius for music.
He has a genius for fixing cars.
Their son has a genius for numbers.
She shows a genius for teaching young children.
Our manager has a genius for saving time.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"genius in languages"* instead of the more natural *"genius for languages"*. In this sense, the usual pattern is *"a genius for [something]"*.
Meaning
natural talent for something
Collocations
genius for languages
|genius for business
|genius for storytelling
|genius for detail
|genius for making people laugh
Synonyms
flair (Suggests a natural, often stylish ability in a particular area, sometimes less extreme than 'genius'.)
|
gift (Common, everyday word for natural ability; not necessarily as high as 'genius'.)
Antonyms
inability (Direct opposite: a lack of ability in a particular area.)
|
weakness (A personal area where someone performs poorly, contrasting with a special strength or genius.)
Themes
work
|art
|skills
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A special natural talent for one kind of work or activity.
A very strong natural ability in a particular activity or area, especially one that seems inborn.
B2
INFORMAL
4
zseniális
B2
Usage pattern:
a genius [idea/plan/move]; [something] is genius
That was a genius move, leaving early to avoid the traffic.
Zseniális húzás volt korán elindulni, hogy elkerüljük a dugót.
This is a genius idea for saving space in small apartments.
Ez zseniális ötlet arra, hogyan lehet helyet spórolni kis lakásokban.
The app has a genius design that makes it easy for anyone to use.
Whoever thought of that marketing slogan is genius.
Hiding the cables in the table leg is pure genius.
Learner examples
Your plan is genius.
Zseniális a terved.
That was a genius way to solve the problem.
Zseniális megoldás volt a problémára.
This is a genius idea for our project.
Her new storage system is genius.
I think using pictures instead of text is genius.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this informal sense in formal writing. In essays or reports, it is safer to use *"very effective"*, *"very clever"*, or *"ingenious"* instead of calling something *"genius"*.
Meaning
very clever or impressive
Collocations
genius idea
|genius move
|pure genius
|sheer genius
|absolute genius
Synonyms
brilliant (Very common and slightly more general praise; can describe people as well as ideas.)
|
ingenious (More formal; stresses clever, original design or problem‑solving.)
Antonyms
stupid (Very common, direct opposite for an idea or action that shows little intelligence.)
|
clumsy (Focuses on something done in an awkward or ineffective way, the opposite of a clever 'genius' move.)
Themes
evaluation
|daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that an idea, plan, or thing is very, very clever or good.
Describes an idea, solution, action, or thing as extremely clever, effective, or impressive.
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
Nice work, genius; Okay, genius, [clause]
Nice work, genius—you deleted the whole file instead of just the last line.
Szép munka, zseni — az egész fájlt kitörölted, nem csak az utolsó sort.
Way to go, genius, now the car won’t start.
Ügyes voltál, zseni, most már nem indul az autó.
“Okay, genius, how are we supposed to fix this now?” she asked.
Smooth move, genius. You locked us out of the house.
Thanks a lot, genius, now we’re an hour late.
Learner examples
Nice job, genius. Now the door is broken.
Szép munka, zseni. Most már tönkrement az ajtó.
Way to go, genius, you forgot the tickets.
Ügyes voltál, zseni, otthon felejtetted a jegyeket.
Thanks, genius, now we have no money left.
Okay, genius, what do we do next?
Smooth move, genius, you spilled the coffee.
Common mistake:
Learners may misunderstand this as real praise. Tone of voice and situation usually show that it is criticism. Do not use this with teachers, bosses, or strangers; it can sound rude.
Meaning
sarcastic term for foolish person
Collocations
nice going, genius
|way to go, genius
|smooth move, genius
|thanks a lot, genius
Synonyms
Einstein (Used in the same sarcastic way in English, referencing the famous physicist.)
|
smart guy (Can be used sarcastically, though it is less fixed and depends heavily on tone.)
Antonyms
genius (In its sincere sense, it means a truly very intelligent person, the opposite of the foolish person meant here.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A joking or angry way to call someone "genius" when they do something stupid.
Used sarcastically to address or describe someone who has just done something obviously foolish or careless, as if they were very intelligent.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
6
szellem
B2
szellemiség
C1
Usage pattern:
the genius of [a place/people/system]
The architect tried to respect the genius of the old city while adding modern elements.
Az építész igyekezett tiszteletben tartani az óváros szellemét, miközben modern elemeket is beépített.
Her writing captures the genius of the countryside she grew up in.
Írása megragadja annak a vidéknek a szellemét, ahol felnőtt.
The constitution reflects the political genius of that revolutionary period.
The new museum fails to express the genius of the local culture.
They wanted the translation to keep the genius of the original poem.
Learner examples
The book shows the genius of the small town.
A könyv megmutatja a kisváros sajátos szellemét.
This song catches the genius of the 1960s.
Ez a dal megragadja a hatvanas évek szellemiségét.
The city’s new plan must respect the genius of the old streets.
The film tries to show the genius of the country’s culture.
The writer understands the genius of his people.
Meaning
distinctive spirit or character
Collocations
genius of the place
|genius of the city
|national genius
|the American genius
|political genius of the system
Synonyms
spirit (Often used in the phrase *"the spirit of"* to mean the same kind of shared character or feeling.)
|
character (A more general and common word for the distinctive qualities of a place or group.)
Antonyms
spiritlessness (Lack of energy or distinctive character, the opposite of a strong, living 'genius' of a place or group.)
Themes
society
|culture
|literature
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Definition
The special feeling or style that belongs to one place, people, or time and makes it different.
The special character or spirit that makes a place, group, or period of time different from others.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
7
védőszellem
B2
géniusz
C2
Usage pattern:
the genius of [a place/person]; a genius loci
In Roman religion, each family honored its own household genius.
A római vallásban minden család tisztelte a saját házi védőszellemét.
The poet calls on the genius of the river to inspire his song.
A költő segítségül hívja a folyó védőszellemét, hogy ihletet adjon énekéhez.
They believed a kindly genius watched over the village.
The temple was dedicated to the city’s tutelary genius.
Some writers still speak of the genius loci, the spirit of a particular landscape.
Learner examples
In the story, a genius protects the house.
A történetben egy védőszellem oltalmazza a házat.
The old people believed a genius lived by the river.
Az idősek azt hitték, hogy egy védőszellem él a folyónál.
A genius of the city guards the people in the legend.
They prayed to the genius of the place before they built the bridge.
The book explains the idea of a guardian genius.
Meaning
guardian or guiding spirit
Collocations
genius loci
|tutelary genius
|household genius
|the genius of the household
Synonyms
guardian spirit (General term for a spirit that protects someone or something.)
|
tutelary deity (More technical and religious; emphasizes a godlike being that protects or guides.)
Antonyms
demon (A harmful or evil spirit, the opposite of a protective or benevolent genius.)
Themes
religion
|mythology
|literature
Definition
A spirit that is said to watch over and guide one person, place, or group.
In ancient Roman belief and later literary use, a protective or guiding spirit connected with a person, place, or institution.
Grammar
Dictionary form
genius
IPA
GB/d͡ʒˈinjəs/
US/d͡ʒˈinjəs/
Syllables & stress
geni - us (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (geni)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: genius
- Plural: genius, geniuses
Word family
Expressions
a stroke of genius
1/ə stɹˈoʊk əv d͡ʒˈinjəs/
idiom
a single very clever idea
A single very clever idea or action that shows great intelligence or creativity.
Examples
- Adding a free trial was a stroke of genius that doubled their sales.
- It was a stroke of genius to move the meeting online during the storm.
- Her choice of title for the book was a real stroke of genius.
boy genius
1/bˈɔɪ d͡ʒˈinjəs/
fixed phrase
very gifted young male
A boy or young man who is much more intelligent or talented than other people his age.
Examples
- The company’s new app was created by a 19‑year‑old boy genius.
- Newspapers loved the story of the local boy genius who built his own robot.
- As a teenager he was known as a boy genius in computer programming.
evil genius
1/ˈivəl d͡ʒˈinjəs/
fixed phrase
very smart but harmful person
A very intelligent person who uses their great mind to do bad or harmful things.
Examples
- In the movie, an evil genius plans to take over the world.
- The hacker was described as an evil genius by the press.
- The story’s villain is an evil genius who always stays one step ahead.
mad genius
1/mˈæd d͡ʒˈinjəs/
fixed phrase
brilliant but seemingly crazy person
A very intelligent or creative person who also behaves in a strange or wild way that seems a little crazy.
Examples
- The inventor had a reputation as a mad genius who lived alone in his workshop.
- People saw him as a mad genius, brilliant in the lab but lost in everyday life.
- The film tells the story of a mad genius whose ideas change the world.
pure genius
1/pjˈʊɹ d͡ʒˈinjəs/
fixed phrase
informal
nothing but great cleverness
Used to say that something is completely and totally very clever or very well done.
Examples
- Whoever designed this user interface is pure genius.
- The ending of the movie is pure genius.
- Serving breakfast all day was pure genius from a marketing point of view.
work of genius
1/wˈɚk əv d͡ʒˈinjəs/
fixed phrase
an extremely excellent work
A book, painting, film, plan, or other result that shows very great intelligence or creativity.
Examples
- Critics called the film a work of genius.
- This bridge is a work of genius in both design and engineering.
- Her latest novel is a work of genius that will be studied for years.