What does gifted mean?
Gifted is an adjective describing someone with exceptional natural ability, such as a gifted child, athlete, artist, or musician. It suggests that the person’s aptitude is unusually strong and may require additional challenge or support, which explains its frequent use in education. The word is usually complimentary and can sound more emphatic than the more neutral “talented.” Although its dominant modern sense concerns human ability, gifted also has an older and religious sense of being endowed with a special gift, grace, or spiritual power. In ordinary use, it refers to innate or unusually developed ability rather than experience alone, though hard work and training often help a gifted person develop that potential. The word is widely understood in both British and American English, with no major regional difference in meaning.
adjectiveHaving exceptional natural ability or aptitude; exceptionally talented. In religious or older contexts, it can also mean endowed with a special gift or spiritual grace.
- Having exceptional natural ability or aptitude.
- Endowed with or possessing a special gift, especially a spiritual or supernatural gift.
"She is a gifted musician who has performed with several leading orchestras."
"The academy provides extra support for gifted children."
"In the religious tradition, she was regarded as a gifted healer."
Gifted turns the idea of a gift into a person: natural ability itself becomes something precious.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gifted come from?
Gifted was formed in English from the noun “gift” with the suffix “-ed,” giving it the sense of “endowed with a gift” or “possessing a natural endowment.” The noun “gift” comes through Middle English from Old Norse “gipt,” meaning a gift or present and, by extension, an ability or talent. English later used “gifted” for people of exceptional ability, while the older religious sense preserved the idea of a special spiritual endowment.
Related word forms
How gifted is actually used
Gifted is used mainly before nouns, as in “gifted child,” and can also follow linking verbs, as in “She is highly gifted.” It is generally complimentary and is especially common in education, the arts, and sports. In religious contexts, “gifted” may refer to spiritual gifts rather than exceptional talent.
Easily confused with gifted
A gift is something given or received, whereas gifted is normally an adjective describing a person with exceptional talent or a special spiritual endowment.