maestro
Americannoun
plural
maestros-
an eminent composer, teacher, or conductor of music.
Toscanini and other great maestros.
-
(initial capital letter) a title of respect used in addressing or referring to such a person.
-
a master of any art.
the maestros of poetry.
noun
-
a distinguished music teacher, conductor, or musician
-
any man regarded as the master of an art: often used as a term of address
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.
Vocabulary lists containing maestro
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
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Stargirl
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She was summoned to meet the maestro soon afterwards.
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
The late Vicente Fernández, the beloved actor and Grammy-winning maestro of the mariachi and ranchera genres, was affectionately known as “El Charro de Huentitán,” after his hometown in Jalisco.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 23, 2026
Nigerian writer and poet Dami Ajayi described him as a "highlife maestro" and a "fantastic guitarist".
From Barron's • Feb. 9, 2026
A bronchial spasm sent the maestro to hospital.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025
I was the director, the maestro, I called the shots.
From "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
