tastemaker

American

[teyst-mey-ker] / ˈteɪstˌmeɪ kər /

noun

a person or thing that establishes or strongly influences what is considered to be stylish, acceptable, or worthwhile in a given sphere of interest, as the arts.

tastemaker British

/ ˈteɪstˌmeɪkə /

noun

a person or group that sets a new fashion

"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

Etymology

Origin of tastemaker

First recorded in 1950–55; taste + maker

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.

Cartoon Network evolved more gracefully from a retro-animation platform into a cultural tastemaker by way of Adult Swim.

From Salon • May 8, 2026

The fashion tastemaker redesigned the 3.9-acre estate and historic house in Litchfield.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Of course, the San Francisco-based tastemaker could use any number of American AI labs to power things behind-the-scenes.

From BBC • Jan. 23, 2026

Alvaro Zarzoso, an academic who studied Michelin stars at the University of Seville in Spain, said the guide is still a crucial tastemaker.

From Barron's • Oct. 9, 2025

He's the fashion tastemaker of the kingdom, and is in charge of all garment production.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023