virtuoso

American  

[vur-choo-oh-soh] / ˌvɜr tʃuˈoʊ soʊ /

noun

plural

virtuosos, virtuosi

1. a person who has special knowledge or skill in a field.

2. a person who excels in musical technique or execution.

3. a person who has a cultivated appreciation of artistic excellence, as a connoisseur or collector of objects of art, antiques, etc.

4. Obsolete. a person who has special interest or knowledge in the arts and sciences; scientist; scholar.

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adjective

1. Also virtuosic of, relating to, or characteristic of a virtuoso.

   a virtuoso performance.

virtuoso British  

/ ˌvɜːtjʊˈɒsɪk, -səʊ, ˌvɜːtjʊˈəʊzəʊ /

noun

1. a consummate master of musical technique and artistry

2. a person who has a masterly or dazzling skill or technique in any field of activity

3. a connoisseur, dilettante, or collector of art objects

4. obsolete a scholar or savant

5. (modifier) showing masterly skill or brilliance

   a virtuoso performance

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Other Word Forms

• virtuosic adjective
• virtuosity noun

Etymology

Origin of virtuoso

1610–20; < Italian: versed, skilled < Late Latin virtuosus virtuous

Example Sentences

Here, across 12 minutes, the orchestra turns a four-note motif into a vivid tone poem—shifting moods and colors, restless movement, and a brilliant closing spotlight for virtuoso clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton.

From The Wall Street Journal

He thinks of composer Michael Giacchino “onstage with those virtuosos at their respective instruments; we work with masters all around us, so we have a lot of trust in them.”

From Los Angeles Times

Along with his Long Beach Opera gig, Rountree is founder and music director of Wild Up, the avant-garde chamber orchestra of virtuoso musicians, all of whom happen to be progressive composers as well.

From Los Angeles Times

While Australia's Alex Carey gave a virtuoso performance on day one of the second Ashes Test, Jamie Smith put down a crucial chance in the first session of the second day in Brisbane.

From BBC

“Gödel, Escher, Bach” is a virtuoso display of flexible thinking, connecting genetics, math, computer science, art and music.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• magician
• musician
• prodigy