virtuoso

[ vur-choo-oh-soh ]

/ ˌvɜr tʃuˈoʊ soʊ /

noun, plural vir·tu·o·sos, vir·tu·o·si [vur-choo-oh-see] /ˌvɜr tʃuˈoʊ si/.

a person who has special knowledge or skill in a field.

a person who excels in musical technique or execution.

a person who has a cultivated appreciation of artistic excellence, as a connoisseur or collector of objects of art, antiques, etc.

Obsolete. a person who has special interest or knowledge in the arts and sciences; scientist; scholar.

adjective

Also vir·tu·os·ic

[vur-choo-os-ik] /ˌvɜr tʃuˈɒs ɪk/. of, relating to, or characteristic of a virtuoso: a virtuoso performance.

Nearby words

virtue, virtue signaling, virtues, virtuosa, virtuosity, virtuoso, virtuous, virtuous circle, virtute et armis, virucidal, virucide

Origin of virtuoso

1610–20; < Italian: versed, skilled < Late Latin virtuosus virtuous

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

Examples from the Web for virtuosi

And music became a monopoly of a few "virtuosi" who took the music away from the home and carried it to the concert-hall.
The Story of Mankind|Hendrik van Loon
In the poet's words, he was the magnet who drew men of genius (virtuosi) from all parts of the world to Milan.
Beatrice d'Este, Duchess of Milan, 1475-1497|Julia Mary Cartwright
We come to Italy: look at the affectations with which the Virtuosi and Filosofi have enchained the free spirit of poetry.
Goldsmith|William Black
The virtuosi of the Acadmie used to perform in them and afterwards proceed to the church to sing motets.
History of the Opera from its Origin in Italy to the present Time|Henry Sutherland Edwards

Ysaye is noted, too, for sincerity of purpose and seriousness such as few of the virtuosi have possessed.
Famous Violinists of To-day and Yesterday|Henry C. Lahee

British Dictionary definitions for virtuosi

virtuoso

/ (ˌvɜːtjʊˈəʊzəʊ, -səʊ) /

noun plural -sos or -si (-siː)

a consummate master of musical technique and artistry

a person who has a masterly or dazzling skill or technique in any field of activity

a connoisseur, dilettante, or collector of art objects

obsolete a scholar or savant

(modifier) showing masterly skill or brilliancea virtuoso performance

Derived Forms

virtuosic (ˌvɜːtjʊˈɒsɪk), adjectivevirtuosity, noun

Word Origin for virtuoso

C17: from Italian: skilled, from Late Latin virtuōsus good, virtuous; see virtue

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