maestro

American  

[mahy-stroh] / ˈmaɪ stroʊ /

noun

plural

maestros

1. an eminent composer, teacher, or conductor of music.

   Toscanini and other great maestros.

2. (initial capital letter) a title of respect used in addressing or referring to such a person.

3. a master of any art.

   the maestros of poetry.

---

maestro British  

/ ˈmaɪstrəʊ /

noun

1. a distinguished music teacher, conductor, or musician

2. any man regarded as the master of an art: often used as a term of address

3. See maestro di cappella

---

maestro Cultural  

1. A title for distinguished artists, especially those in music. It may be given to teachers, composers, conductors, or performers. Maestro is Italian for “master.”

---

Etymology

Origin of maestro

1790–1800; < Italian: master

Explanation

A maestro is an artistic master: someone who is skilled enough to be considered an artistic genius. Taking one music class or art class can teach you a lot, but it won't make you a maestro. Maestro (which comes from Italian) is reserved for people with an enormous amount of skill and talent. This word can apply to any type of artist — and sometimes, to people with impressive skills in other areas — but it's most commonly applied to musicians. Master composers, pianists, cellists, guitarists, and conductors are often called maestros.

Example Sentences

Gussalli Beretta, the 64-year-old 15th-generation descendant of company founder Maestro Bartolomeo Beretta, calls Ruger’s characterizations of his takeover aspirations “fake news.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

This year's offerings include the "Best in Show," the "Golden Cut Margarita," the "Maestro Martini" and "The Sequel," made with gold vanilla edible paint streaked along the side.

From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026

Loosely inspired by the career of comedian John Bishop, Is This Thing On? is the third film directed by Bradley Cooper after A Star Is Born and Maestro.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

Thanks to a recently released BBC Maestro series, however, “regular people” can get the Vetro treatment.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2024

I grew tired of it and told her it could have been worse, that Maestro Frederic Chopin had once done the same thing at a command performance for the king and queen of Prussia.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

Related Words

• composer
• conductor