There is no precise English word for someone who is literally good at everything, but natural descriptions include all-rounder, multitalented person, person of many talents, and Renaissance person. Terms such as polymath are more specific and should be used only when they really fit.
Which Description Best Fits “Someone Who Is Good at Everything”?
- All-rounder
- Jack of all trades
- Multitalented person
- Person of many talents
- Polymath
- Renaissance person
- Versatile person
- Well-rounded person
- Multi-skilled person
- Capable generalist
- Highly capable person
- Someone who excels at many things
All-rounder
A person who is competent in many different areas. It is especially common in British English and is one of the best general choices.
Example: She is a real all-rounder who can handle both the technical and creative work.
Jack of all trades
A familiar phrase for someone who can do many different kinds of work or activities. It does not necessarily mean expert-level ability.
Example: He is a jack of all trades around the office.
Multitalented person
A straightforward description for someone with several strong abilities or talents.
Example: She is a multitalented person who writes, designs, and performs.
Person of many talents
A warm, natural phrase that praises someone for being good at a range of things without claiming they can do everything.
Example: He is a person of many talents, from music to engineering.
Polymath
A person with substantial knowledge or expertise across several different fields, especially intellectual or academic ones. It is not simply a synonym for “good at everything.”
Example: Leonardo da Vinci is often described as a polymath.
Renaissance person
A modern gender-neutral version of “Renaissance man,” used for someone accomplished in many different fields.
Example: She is a Renaissance person with interests spanning science, art, and literature.
Versatile person
Someone who adapts well and can perform effectively in different roles or activities.
Example: He is versatile enough to move between research, teaching, and management.
Well-rounded person
Someone with a broad mix of abilities, knowledge, interests, or personal qualities. It suggests balance rather than exceptional mastery of everything.
Example: The program aims to develop well-rounded graduates.
Multi-skilled person
A practical workplace term for someone who has competence in several distinct skills.
Example: They need a multi-skilled person who can handle support, training, and administration.
Capable generalist
A useful professional description for someone who works competently across a broad area rather than specializing narrowly.
Example: She is a capable generalist who can take on a wide range of projects.
Highly capable person
A broad compliment for someone who consistently handles many tasks well. It does not imply a specific range of talents.
Example: He is a highly capable person who quickly picks up new responsibilities.
Someone who excels at many things
A plain descriptive phrase that is often more accurate than searching for a single noun.
Example: She is someone who excels at many things, from public speaking to data analysis.
All-Rounder vs Polymath
An all-rounder is broadly capable across different activities. A polymath has deep knowledge or expertise across multiple fields. If you simply mean someone who seems competent at nearly everything they try, all-rounder is usually the better word.
A Note on “Jack of All Trades”
The phrase is often positive or neutral, but the longer saying “jack of all trades, master of none” can imply breadth without mastery. If you want unambiguous praise, multitalented or all-rounder may be safer.