Why Does Polymath Mean?

A polymath is a person who knows a lot about a lot of subjects. ... When a person's knowledge covers many different areas, he or she is a polymath. The Greek word for it is polymathes, "having learned much," with poly meaning "much," and manthanein meaning "learn."

What makes a person polymath?

“A polymath is a person whose expertise spans a significant number of subject areas, known to draw on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific problems.” ... And with all of the world's information available to anyone who has internet, polymaths should, in theory, be common in today's society.

Where did the term polymath come from?

Polymath derives from the Greek 'polys' meaning 'much' and from the root of 'manthanein', a verb which refers to the process of learning. Its first recorded use is from the 1620s.

Elena Rostova

Elena Rostova

Lead Health, Wellness & Medical Journalist

Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.