Word or phrase for showing great skill at something without formal training in it

Question

Is there a word or phrase to describe someone who is not formally trained at something — yet he/she is good at it?

The person could be good at drawing/art, or mathematics, or carpentry, or boxing, or a musical instrument, etc.

I thought the word for what I described is "untutored" because according to Collins Dictionary:

untutored, adjective. "If someone is untutored, they have not been formally trained to do something, although they may be quite skilled at it."

One of the two example sentences Collins offered was:

'This untutored mathematician had an obsession with numbers.'

So because of Collins's definition, I took "untutored" as having to do with innate abilities, like a kid who happens to draw so great, or have a knack for a musical instrument — before any formal training.

But the problem is no other dictionary defines "untutored" this way. All the others define it along the lines of "lacking in schooling".

So any help in describing being good at something without being trained in it would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Often these sorts of people are called "naturals" -- "Wow, your kid is a real natural at basketball! I can't believe he's never had a coach!"

Such people, especially children, may also be called "prodigies", which mildly-suggests that they were pretty good before training, but doesn't rule out training per se. Some English speakers have adopted the German term, wunderkind.

I think you're correct in shunning 'untutored' for this application.

Answer 2

a natural-born X TFD idiom

Possessing an ability innately. The term is always used as a modifier before a noun.

As in:

My daughter is a natural-born chef.

Answer 3

In some contexts "self-taught" might be appropriate. It does not imply that the person was a natural nor does it indicate they were generally untutored.

From Merriam-Webster

self-taught adjective \ ˈself-ˈtȯt \ Definition of self-taught 1 : having knowledge or skills acquired by one's own efforts without formal instruction a self-taught musician 2 : learned by oneself self-taught knowledge

Answer 4

There is this interesting concept called autodidacticism (in plain English, it simply means self-education or self-teaching) which means that you have received no formal education at all, but because of your great yearning for knowledge and your natural talent, you were able to acquire the necessary skill and expertise to become exceptionally good at whatever it is that you're doing. Probably, one of the best examples of autodidacts (a person who practices autodidacticism) was the brilliant Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan who, although had no formal education in mathematics, managed to become one of the great mathematicians of the early 20th century. Here's what Wikipedia says about this incredible individual:

Though he had almost no formal training in pure mathematics, he made substantial contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions, including solutions to mathematical problems considered to be unsolvable.

Answer 5

Someone who was showing expertise for something when they first try it could be said to have a natural aptitude or talent for it.

It's defined as "a natural ability of skill" - https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/aptitude

Faith is an aptitude of the spirit. It is, in fact, a talent: you must be born with it. Anton Chekhov - "On the Road"

Answer 6

I want to suggest "savant" to describe someone with noteworthy abilities that are presented without any "formal" training. The word is sometimes used to describe the highly educated as well, but this would not be the sense here.

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/savant

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savant_syndrome

Answer 7

I like the natural and natural-born answers for if the person has had no training at all, but I would also suggest autodidact for someone who has trained themselves to a level of great skill without the benefit of formal training by others.

Answer 8

The first thing that came to my mind as I saw this question is a gift which I am surprised is not offered yet (pun unintended).
Such a person is said to have a gift for (some skill) or be gifted.

ODO:

gift
NOUN

2 A natural ability or talent.

‘As a young boy he showed a remarkable gift for music and his family encouraged this talent.’

gifted
ADJECTIVE

Having exceptional talent or natural ability.

‘It is a chance for the gifted ones to display their natural talents.’

TFD(idioms):

have a gift for (doing) something
Fig. to have a natural talent for doing something.
Sharon has a gift for dealing with animals.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Answer 9

Well! It's taken me a little while combing through some dictionaries and thesauruses, I believe "Innate" is the word you are looking for. Innate: adjective: 1.) Existing in an animal or a person from birth; congenital; inborn 2.) Instinctive; Not Learned 3.) (In rationalist Philosophy)(of Ideas) present in the mind before any experience and knowable by pure reason Instinctive; Intuitive; Natural; Prodigy; Constitutional

Answer 10

dilettante

a person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge.

Not necessarily a synonym for "untrained," but I suspect it might fit your need. There's a difference between a dilettante and a prodigy. A prodigy is a natural, aided by training (in most cases) to become a master. A dilettante is more like the hobbyist who does not receive formal training and yet maintains an interest in their art.