Can the word 'genius' be used as an adjective?
For example: 'A genius plan' or 'This is a genius piece of work'?
Tell me more
×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for
linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
|
|
||||
|
|
The simple answer is, yes. This usage of 'genius' as an adjective is relatively new and would still be considered by many (including me) as slang. In that vein, the following would also be acceptable: my genius girlfriend Your plan is genius! However, it would be more standard (and advised in formal settings) to use the word 'ingenious' in all of these examples, including your own, as it is an adjective. Therefore: an ingenious plan an ingenious piece of work my ingenious girlfriend Your plan is ingenious. As a note, I imagine that the use of 'genius' as an adjective has in fact arisen as a mistaken combination of the two words 'genius' and 'ingenious' in much the same way as the erroneous 'irregardless' has come from 'regardless' and 'irrespective'. Also, not to be confused with ingenuous. |
|||
|
|
