POPULARITY![]()
![]()
![]()
Idiot savant is currently in the top 30% of lookups on Merriam-Webster.com.
Idiot savant is currently in the top 30% of lookups on Merriam-Webster.com.Dictionary
idiot savant
plural idiots savants \-ˌdyō-sä-ˈväⁿ(z)\ or idiot savants \-ˈväⁿ(z)\
Definition of IDIOT SAVANT
1
: a person affected with a mental disability (as autism or mental retardation) who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field (as mathematics or music) —called also savant
2
: a person who is highly knowledgeable about one subject but knows little about anything else
See idiot savant defined for English-language learners
ADVERTISEMENT
Ask The Editor Videos
Origin of IDIOT SAVANT
French, literally, learned idiot
First Known Use: 1927
Other Psychology Terms
Rhymes with IDIOT SAVANT
Medical Dictionary
idiot savant
noun idiot sa·vant \ˈē-ˌdyō-sä-ˈväⁿ; ˈid-ē-ət-sə-ˈvänt, -ˈvant\
plural idiots savants \-ˌdyō-sä-ˈväⁿ(z); -əts-sə-ˈvänt(s), -ˈvant(s)\ or idiot savants
Medical Definition of IDIOT SAVANT
: a person affected with a mental disability (as autism or mental retardation) who exhibits exceptional skill or brilliance in some limited field (as mathematics or music)—called also savant
Learn More About IDIOT SAVANT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: idiot's delightPrevious Word in the Dictionary: idiotryAll Words Near: idiot savant
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up idiot savant? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
nbbjhnbh
42 comments
Add a comment...
Joe Donohue
I am an idiot savant who incorporates god into his music and tv compilations. Basically you will see crosses in the shadows and biblical phrases and words come together. its beautiful...
Engneer Topshine Adekunle ·
Hmmmmmn this is serious
Reg Starkey · ![]()
Oliver Sacks' book 'The man who mistook his wife for a hat
Luiz Claudio Weiss ·
An anthropologist on Mars is better, regarding this theme
Mary Traylor McClelland
Just wondering about someone in the family who can cause a lot of trouble by being completely a social misfit but can be so smart in other ways. He is mean with his words; so this may not be the right term or him.
Louise Sp ·
I became acquainted with a child with autism and a great interest in locks
mspm629
I thought my sister might be one, and she is one. Just without the "savant" part.
JoAnne Curren ·
Works at I work at enjoying retirement
I was trying to give the definition to my son and just wanted to check to see if I had it right.
Edward Hearn ·
Knew it but just forgot the expression.
Rod Swanstrom ·
AHHHH ... I finally have a name to call myself !! tre cool !!
Maxine Batrawi ·
I attended a Hypnosis seminar and the leader announced herself as an Idiot Savant. She was such an amazing woman!!!
Michelle Engledow ·
A few come to mind
Joy Waters · ![]()
![]()
![]()
Works at Disabled
Can idiot savants be good spouses?
Holly Sauer Dufresne
I would love a reply to this myself. Having lived with a savant(take the word idiot out...lacking in common sense maybe but definitely not an idiot.) for 10 years I know how difficult it can be. My spouse is on the spectrum but he is absolutely brilliant in his area of expertise and he is kind and generous. He is so focused on his task that he finds it hard to relax let alone smile or laugh easily. Many things should be done yesterday. Having said that his organizational skills and his memory are way beyond 'normal.' I never have to wait for anything to be done. I have had great patience with his learning how to treat people as his social skills are lacking and for this I have suffered too. As in it is easier to not be social as I am often afraid of what he will say. I have ten years in and I love him so I am not going anywhere. We are making progress and we have counseling. Would I do it again...NO.
Melissa MacTavish
Holly Sauer Aspergers /// completely different from "savant" idiot or not.. Your husband is "wired differently". Aspergers is not a "syndrome" It's the evolution of human beings... I'll take a hundred socially unacceptable truths over 1 sugar-coated lie to keep "friends" ... "the truth hurts" .. I am sorry for you that "wouldn't do it again" but "will hang in there" because of time invested... Imagine, you've been in prison for 10 years... the gates open and they guards say "you're free to go"... do you stay... or walk out? that's the analogy I read... (I don't like it but I've been h...See More
Melissa MacTavish
Your husband is not able to read facial expressions.. you have to tell him what you want and need.. You have to say, "I need a hug"... " you have to say, I didn't ask you to solve my problem, I just want you to listen to me and comfort me"- and he will.. the truth shall set you free.
Sydney Fox ·
I'm interested in idiots savant because I am one. Syd Fox, New Zealand.
Jane Costanzo ·
design of artwork recognized by an acclaimed art professor who described it as savant.... what does this mean?? certainly not idiot,.. it's savantly amazing... please advise? TY - XO
Debra Klecan ·
My husband's cousin could tell you everything and anything related to NASA space travel. Dates, astronauts, name of every mission, but couldn't hold down a job, make his own breakfast, etc. He truly was a Rainman. It was fascinating.
Farah Dyer-Steel ·
our boy is autistic and is being tested by the university for his IQ. they wanted to know if we thought he had any exceptional 'savant' skills.
Nancy Petillo · ![]()
![]()
my grandson has autism and is very high functioning..he is always singing and can tell when someone is off-key we think he has perfect pitch..his grandfather was a singer and entertainer. his mother is considering giving him music lessons. he has been in several shows...having leads already. he is 12 now. he loves the theatre.he goes to catholic school and is in regular classes.
Toni Holland ·
Works at Retired
It's a beautiful thing when a person doesn't let their disorder them but rather use their gifts in a great way. Hats off to this young man.
David Getman Sr. ·
An IDIOT SAVANT-- My thoughts: a political body in disguise, with untruths veiled with corporate lies. No vision for anything but self conceit. A true idiot savant that has no courage to walk alone and pretend defeat. It is todays favored governmental body, democratic select. 300 million militant minority in a world of seven and one-half billion people suffering humility and problems from that conceit.
A factitious disorder by proxy.
A factitious disorder by proxy.
Nathan Geoffroy ·
I'm a savant thank god my dad owns google.
coleman_h2003
I was a savant of fashion and design at 14 yrs old I learned to make clothing which looked store bought my mother was so proud my mother has since past away along with the other 5 members of my family and my 2 best freinds which has hindered my success in the field I could make a pair of jeans within 2 hours I had people at my mom and dads door waiting for the next product I made and they had ordered I'm 49 yrs old now and my entire family has passed I'm the only one left which has made it hard for me to focus on my talent I miss those days I was well known in my town for making high fashion h...See More
Amy Brinkman ·
My son is autistic and this term has been tossed around in conversation about him and his possible future. I am very new to the spectrum and wanted to know the definition.
Tricia Bray Wright ·
I have a friend who has exhibited these symptoms ever since I've known him, 30+ years. Photographic memory, exceptional math skills, but his social skills are limited and sometimes inappropriate . I googled to find this site.
Rick Banks ·
Based on some particular personality qualities, I'm convinced that I know one. I wanted to be sure of the definition.
Donna Short ·
Because the computer won't just look up servant. It changes it to servant. So I had to use the politically incorrect term "idiot servant".
Rachel E F Livengood
I'm autistic and exceptionally skilled at biology and geology, particularly at making detailed observations and identifying something just by looking at it. I was wondering if I'm a savant, and according to this definition I am. I don't appreciate being called an "idiot," though.
Karen Grimes Leinweber
I read that the Forrest Gump character in the book was an "idiot savant" and I wanted to see what that meant.
Barb Treppa Krantz ·
Just started reading The Last Oracle by James Rollins and it is about autistic savants.
Marvina Hirni ·
I was looking up the definition of scholar, found the synonym savant and then found idiot savant.
Gabe Bain ·
I checked out this sight because two shrinks said that to me. One came right out and said it and the other hinted the one that hinted said I was a genius on one level and not very good on the others. I just figured most folks are like that. anyway just thought I'd comment.
Peter Shay
I heard a well-known photograph collector (having one of the finest collections in the world) give a talk last night and his presentation was so weird and self-indulgent, but otherwise brilliant in his knowledge of and taste in photography.
Rudolph Trocan · ![]()
![]()
I was thinking about a couple in england some years ago who where in their sixtys that had a son that could play clasic music on the piano who ever had been taught such as mozart or any of the masters but not in the style of those who had played for years, but was a delight to his parents.
Shawn Rainey Hope![]()
Hailey Kay Gibson & Annastasia Dancetastic Mason, nevermind I did it for you. Cuz yall "SLOW".
Annastasia Mason ·
Lol.
Gayle Waters Spengler · ![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Because it seems like a work with a few......
Gayle Waters Spengler ·
What I meant to say is "it seems like I work with a few"......
Christy Leigh Anne ·
I am not one though!!! LMAO!!
coleman_h2003
i was a savant of fashion and design at 14 yrs old i learned to make clothing which looked store bought my mother was so proud my mother has since past away along with the other 5 members of my family and my 2 best freinds which has hindered my success in the field i could make a pair of jeans within 2 hours i had people at my mom and dads door waiting for the next product i made and they had ordered im 49 yrs old now and my entire family has passed im the only one left which has made it hard for me to focus on my talent i miss those days i was well known in my town for making high fashion high quality clothing also interior design including comforters and curtains what can i do to resume my abilities im 49 now and im really torn by the fact my family and freinds have gone out of my life forever the most recent passing was my bother and sister in 2011 which has saddened me i really need help to get my mind together what shall i do
henry
henry
Michael Teig ·
Get back at it.