1. A supernatural being, often depicted as a jinn, that grants wishes. This is the most common meaning, and it's often associated with stories like Aladdin, where a genie is released from a lamp and fulfills three wishes for its liberator.
2. A very talented or skillful person. This meaning is less common but still used, often in a humorous or informal way. For example, you might say "He's a real genie in the kitchen!" to describe someone who is a great cook.
The word "genie" comes from the Arabic word "jinn," which refers to a type of spirit in Islamic mythology.