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talcum powder
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talent contest
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talent

tal·ent [ tállənt ] (plural tal·ents)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. natural ability: an unusual natural ability to do something well, especially in artistic areas that can be developed by training

2. somebody with exceptional ability: a person or people with an exceptional ability

3. U.K. possible romantic partners: people considered collectively as possible romantic or sexual partners ( slang )

4. measurements ancient unit: an ancient unit of weight and money

[14th century. Via Old French, "mental inclination" < Latin talentum "balance, sum of money" < Greek talanton]

tal·ent·less adjective

Word Key: Synonyms
talent, gift, aptitude, flair, bent, knack, genius
CORE MEANING: the natural ability to do something well

talent a natural ability to do something well that can be developed by training;
a persuasive speaker with a natural talent for diplomacy
Our company has a great wealth of underutilized talent.
gift a natural ability, especially an artistic ability, or a social skill;
Hannah had inherited a gift for music.
He had the rare gift of speaking only when something needed to be said.
aptitude a natural tendency to do something well, especially one that can be further developed;
He showed little aptitude for business.
Depending on the aptitude of the students, anything from two to ten topics may be appropriate.
flair a natural ability to do something well, especially creative or artistic ability;
a new writer-director of visual invention and cinematic flair
bent a strong natural inclination or liking for something;
The books feature two friends with a bent for detecting crime.
Technical schools were for students who had a practical bent.
knack a particular skill, especially one that might be innate or intuitive and therefore difficult to teach;
a knack with children
an obvious knack for sales
genius exceptional intellectual or creative ability;
Rachmaninoff's unequaled genius for lyrical melody
He was a man of considerable genius who is not given enough credit for his contribution to science.
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