connoisseur

American  

[kon-uh-sur, -soor] / ˌkɒn əˈsɜr, -ˈsʊər /

noun

1. a person who is especially competent to pass critical judgments in an art, particularly one of the fine arts, or in matters of taste.

   a connoisseur of modern art.

2. a discerning judge of the best in any field.

   a connoisseur of horses.

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connoisseur British  

/ ˌkɒnɪˈsɜː /

noun

1. a person with special knowledge or appreciation of a field, esp in the arts

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Other Word Forms

• connoisseurship noun

Etymology

Origin of connoisseur

First recorded in 1705–15; from French; Old French conoiseor, from Latin cognōscitōr- (stem of cognōscitor ) “knower”; cognoscible, -tor

Example Sentences

But true connoisseurs will have looked to the Gabba, for the finest vintage in the state was at the crease for Australia.

From BBC

Lillian Disney, a connoisseur of flowers, would die before the hall was finished, but its hidden rear garden is centered around the “Rose for Lilly” fountain, composed of thousands of broken blue-and-white Delft china pieces.

From Los Angeles Times

Fishwife Tinned Fish Sampler – Tinned fish has been all the rage for a while now, but selecting quality tins, especially for newer tinned fish connoisseurs, can still be confusing.

From Salon

But for connoisseurs of Japanese cinema, wherever they may live, his work will always be both unforgettable and essential.

From The Wall Street Journal

Phillips said a 1518 was the sort of watch that once acquired, "a connoisseur can feel to have reached the utmost peak of collecting".

From Barron's

Related Words

• aficionado
• buff
• devotee
• dilettante