What does talent mean?
Talent means a natural or acquired ability to perform a particular kind of work exceptionally well. It most often refers to gifts that can be developed, such as musical, literary, or technical aptitude, though it can also include practical abilities acquired through study and experience. The plural “talents” is widely used for people regarded as especially gifted or promising, as in “young talent” or “a company with exceptional talent.” The word carries a generally positive connotation because it suggests unusual ability combined with potential, rather than merely adequate competence. Its historical sense as a gift or endowment remains visible in expressions such as “hidden talent.” In contemporary usage, talent is common in education, employment, entertainment, and creative industries, including phrases such as “talent development,” “talent pool,” and “talent show.” It is related to, but not identical with, skill: skill often emphasizes what has been learned through practice, while talent more strongly suggests innate or exceptional capacity.
nounA natural or acquired ability to do something well, especially an aptitude that can be developed. It can also refer collectively to people with exceptional abilities.
- A natural or acquired ability to do something well, especially one that can be developed through practice.
- People with exceptional abilities, especially when considered collectively.
- In older or literary usage, a special natural endowment or gift.
"She showed a remarkable talent for turning complex ideas into clear explanations."
"His musical talent emerged as soon as he began experimenting with different instruments."
"The organization has attracted some of the industry's most promising talent."
Usually used for people regarded as exceptionally able or promising; it may also refer collectively to a group's abilities.
"The film has attracted a number of remarkable young talents."
A talent was once a unit of money or value, so the word's journey from financial payment to personal gift and natural ability is surprisingly literal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does talent come from?
The word entered Middle English through Old French, ultimately from Latin “talentum,” an ancient unit of money or value whose plural was “talents.” The monetary sense contributed to the idea of a valuable gift or endowment, which was eventually applied to a person's distinctive natural abilities. Modern forms such as “talento” and “talente” continue the inherited Latin word in other Romance languages.
Related word forms
How talent is actually used
In British English, talent is commonly uncountable when referring to ability and countable when referring to talented people. In American English, singular forms such as “a rising talent” are also common. The word often implies abilities that are both distinctive and potentially valuable.
Easily confused with talent
Talent is the ability itself, whereas talented describes someone who possesses that ability.