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tastemaker

American  
[teyst-mey-ker] / ˈteɪstˌmeɪ kər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that establishes or strongly influences what is considered to be stylish, acceptable, or worthwhile in a given sphere of interest, as the arts.


tastemaker British  
/ ˈteɪstˌmeɪkə /

noun

  1. a person or group that sets a new fashion

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of tastemaker

First recorded in 1950–55; taste + maker

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

For almost a century—and long before social-media influencers—Rachel Lambert Mellon has been a tastemaker for the elite.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 15, 2026

“A celebrated tastemaker with an unmatched eye for design, Diane Keaton spent decades transforming homes into works of art, blending timeless architecture with warmth, authenticity, and soul,” the listing notes.

From MarketWatch Jul. 31, 2026

Cartoon Network evolved more gracefully from a retro-animation platform into a cultural tastemaker by way of Adult Swim.

From Salon May 8, 2026

Alvaro Zarzoso, an academic who studied Michelin stars at the University of Seville in Spain, said the guide is still a crucial tastemaker.

From Barron's Oct. 9, 2025

He's the fashion tastemaker of the kingdom, and is in charge of all garment production.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

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