mastermind

American  

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

verb (used with object)

masterminds, present (3rd person singular) masterminded, past participle, past masterminding present participle

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

   Two colonels had masterminded the revolt.

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noun

masterminds plural

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

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• masterminds
  plural

Participles

• masterminding
  present
• masterminded
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• mastermind
  simple
• masterminds
  simple
• have masterminded
  perfect
• has masterminded
  perfect
• am masterminding
  progressive
• are masterminding
  progressive
• is masterminding
  progressive
• have been masterminding
  perfect progressive
• has been masterminding
  perfect progressive

Past

• masterminded
  simple
• had masterminded
  perfect
• was masterminding
  progressive
• were masterminding
  progressive
• had been masterminding
  perfect progressive

Future

• will mastermind
  simple
• will have masterminded
  perfect
• will be masterminding
  progressive
• will have been masterminding
  perfect progressive

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

Last month, Indian authorities arrested the alleged mastermind behind this year’s medical exam leak, a chemistry lecturer involved in the testing process.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 20, 2026

The stock fell 31% from January 2022 to August 2024, when the board ousted CEO Mark Schneider, the star boss who had previously helped mastermind shares’ run to a record high.

From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026

Soccer and the mastermind behind that World Cup — created for the 23 players who will wear the U.S. crest at home this summer.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

Keegan is one of the most transformational figures in Newcastle's history, the mastermind behind the Entertainers, who challenged for the Premier League title in 1996.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

Which is why I became the mastermind behind Operation Dino-doo-doo.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Related Words

• organize