tastemaker

American

[tayst-may-ker] / ˈteɪstˌmeɪ kər /

noun

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

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:

tastemaker

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 latest listing states.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 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

Of course, the entire evening is overseen by Vogue's global editorial director Anna Wintour -- the ultimate tastemaker in US fashion who has helmed the event for 30 years.

From Barron's ● May 4, 2026

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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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023