Talent Meaning
/ˈtælənt/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA marked natural ability or skill.
nounA unit of weight and money used in ancient times in Greece, the Roman Empire, and the Middle East, equal to about 30 to 60 kg in various times and places.
Sentence Examples
We appreciate his talent.
We cannot help admiring his talent.
The festival showcases the talent of young musicians.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She has a natural ____ for playing piano; she learned a sonata in one day.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She has a natural ____ for playing the piano and has already won several awards at the local music festivals today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English talent, from Old English talente, borrowed from the plural of Latin talentum (“a Grecian weight; a talent of money”), from Ancient Greek τάλαντον (tálanton, “balance, a particular weight, especially of gold, sum of money, a talent”). Compare Old High German talenta (“talent”). Later figurative senses are from Old French talent (“talent, will, inclination, desire”), derived from the biblical Parable of the Talents.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew XXV:14-15:
"And all over Hollywood, suits are licking their chops at the prospect of more malleable actors. “She’s not going to talk back,” one top talent wrangler told me dryly."
— 2025 October 4, Maureen Dowd, “When A.I. Came for Hollywood”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 05 Oct 2025:
"I went down to the beach front, of course, for that was the first thing that all Vaalies did: to look at the sea and to check the talent on the beach."
— 2011, Nic Venter, Wow! What a Life!, page 179:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She has a natural ____ for playing piano; she learned a sonata in one day.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She has a natural ____ for playing the piano and has already won several awards at the local music festivals today.