mastermind

American  

[mas-ter-mahynd, mah-ster-] / ˈmæs tərˌmaɪnd, ˈmɑ stər- /

verb (used with object)

1. to plan and direct (a usually complex project or activity), especially skillfully.

   Two colonels had masterminded the revolt.

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noun

1. a person who originates or is primarily responsible for the execution of a particular idea, project, or the like.

   the masterminds of company policy.

mastermind British  

/ ˈmɑːstəˌmaɪnd /

verb

1. (tr) to plan and direct (a complex undertaking)

   he masterminded the robbery

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noun

1. a person of great intelligence or executive talent, esp one who directs an undertaking

Etymology

Origin of mastermind

First recorded in 1710–20; master + mind

Explanation

A mastermind is a brilliant thinker with original ideas. You might be a chess mastermind or a criminal mastermind: either way, people will not want to oppose you. Inventors, intellectuals, and famous geniuses call all be called masterminds, from Albert Einstein to theoretical physicist Dr. Shirley Jackson. You could also call people who are successful in their fields — especially if they come up with new ways of doing things — masterminds. Even a brilliant jewel thief might be called a safe-cracking mastermind. As a verb, to mastermind is to act as the leader of some complex plan or scheme.

Example Sentences

The mastermind behind ASML’s unlikeliest hit product is a data analyst named Rick Lenssen—or, as he’s now known to some colleagues, Brick Lenssen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

Lee, who died in 2015, is often credited as being the mastermind of Singapore's post colonial transformation from a resource-scarce island to one of Asia's most advanced economies.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

“Now, with French authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice identifying Dmitry Klyuev as the mastermind, we finally see a trial against the key perpetrator of the $230 million fraud uncovered by Sergei Magnitsky.”

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

That’s smart, but he’ll also have to dial back Mr. Miller, who is the mastermind of the mass deportation strategy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

The city was not only home to her dad’s literary idol, but Emily’s, too: Garrison Griswold, CEO of Bayside Press and mastermind of Book Scavenger, the coolest book-hunting game in existence.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Related Words

• organize