connoisseur

[ kon-uh-sur, -soor ]

/ ˌkɒn əˈsɜr, -ˈsʊər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR connoisseur ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

a discerning judge of the best in any field: a connoisseur of horses.

Nearby words

connive, connivence, connivent, connivery, conniving, connoisseur, connolly, connolly, maureen, connor, connor, ralph, connors

Origin of connoisseur

1705–15; < French; Old French conoiseor < Latin cognōscitōr- (stem of cognōscitor) knower. See cognoscible, -tor

SYNONYMS FOR connoisseur

critic, aesthete.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR connoisseur ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formscon·nois·seur·ship, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for connoisseur

Instead, Costume Institute curators seem more wedded to surface appearance than any connoisseur of Old Master oils could be.
Punk: Chaos to Couture at the Costume Institute Shows How Derivative the Style Has Become|Blake Gopnik|May 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As any connoisseur of good food knows, this kind of copying happens all the time.
In ‘The Knockoff Economy,’ The Upside to Ripping Off Others’ Ideas|Kal Raustiala, Christopher Sprigman|September 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Sallust is ruthless and charming, a connoisseur of rare wines and rare women.
The Novelist Who Spied: How Dennis Wheatley Helped Defeat the Nazis|Tina Rosenberg|August 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Like all instinctive gamblers, Trump is a connoisseur of the expert bluff.
Trump Endorsed Romney Because It Was Like Calling to Like|Lee Siegel|February 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Swinging from a plastic highchair, I was a 2-year old connoisseur of the chicken liver.
For the Love of Pâté|Molly Hannon|January 5, 2011|DAILY BEAST
A connoisseur (again on reference behind the curtains) was one of those wealthy men who could swallow anything.
Bud|Neil Munro
Once on this point, the connoisseur will pronounce in favour of the expressive Adagio.
The Violoncello and Its History|Wilhelm Joseph von Wasielewski
You are more of a connoisseur than I. I will leave it to your own valuation.
Samuel Brohl & Company|Victor Cherbuliez
He becomes a connoisseur in female dress, and likes to discuss matters pertaining to the toilet of females.
Religion and Lust|James Weir
It was some connoisseur he was nearly certain; Julia would not have sold it to another grower.
The Good Comrade|Una L. Silberrad

British Dictionary definitions for connoisseur

connoisseur

/ (ˌkɒnɪˈsɜː) /

noun

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

Derived Formsconnoisseurship, noun

Word Origin for connoisseur

C18: from French, from Old French conoiseor, from connoistre to know, from Latin cognōscere

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

Word Origin and History for connoisseur

connoisseur

1714, from French connoisseur (Modern French connaiseur), from Old French conoisseor "an expert, a judge, one well-versed," from conoistre "to know," from Latin cognoscere "to know, to become well-acquainted with," from com- "with" (see com-) + gnoscere "recognize" (see notice (v.)).

connoisseur

noun

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Origin of connoisseur

Examples from the Web for connoisseur

British Dictionary definitions for connoisseur

connoisseur

noun

Word Origin for connoisseur

Word Origin and History for connoisseur

connoisseur