A genius is a person who displays exceptional intellectual ability, creative productivity, universality in genres or originality, typically to a degree that is associated with the achievement of new advances in a domain of knowledge. Despite the presence of scholars in many subjects throughout history, many geniuses have shown high achievements in only a single kind of activity.

There is no scientifically precise definition of genius,and the question of whether the notion itself has any real meaning has long been a subject of debate,[citation needed] although psychologists are converging on a definition that emphasizes creativity and eminent achievement.[citation needed] Usually, genius is associated with talent, but many authors (for example Cesare Lombroso) systematically distinguish these terms.