Talent is a natural ability or aptitude for something. When someone has talent for music, they find it easier to learn instruments or sing in tune than most people. A student with mathematical talent grasps numbers and patterns quickly. An athlete with talent for basketball seems to know instinctively where to be on the court.

Talent gives you a head start, but it's only part of the story. Two violinists might both have talent, but the one who practices diligently will far surpass the talented player who rarely picks up their instrument. History overflows with examples of people with modest talent who achieved extraordinary things through determination and hard work, while talented people who coasted on their gifts faded into obscurity.

The word can also mean talented people as a group. A movie director might scout for new talent, meaning actors with promise. A company might say “we need to attract top talent” when hiring skilled workers.

Having talent for something feels wonderful, like having a helpful wind at your back. But talent alone doesn't guarantee success. What you do with whatever talent you have matters more than how much of it you started with.