virtuoso

American  

[vur-choo-oh-soh] / ˌvɜr tʃuˈoʊ soʊ /

noun

plural

virtuosos, virtuosi

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

2. a person who excels in musical technique or execution.

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

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

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adjective

1. Also virtuosic of, relating to, or characteristic of a virtuoso.

   a virtuoso performance.

virtuoso British  

/ ˌvɜːtjʊˈɒsɪk, -səʊ, ˌvɜːtjʊˈəʊzəʊ /

noun

1. a consummate master of musical technique and artistry

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

3. a connoisseur, dilettante, or collector of art objects

4. obsolete a scholar or savant

5. (modifier) showing masterly skill or brilliance

   a virtuoso performance

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Other Word Forms

• virtuosic adjective
• virtuosity noun

Etymology

Origin of virtuoso

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

Example Sentences

"Thirty-five metal virtuosos. Thunderous guitars. Chaos with purpose," he said.

From Barron's

But some years back I happened on the perfect—albeit unorthodox—love song: “Stuff That Works” by virtuoso singer-songwriter Guy Clark.

From The Wall Street Journal

After all, this virtuoso who has flirted with the boundaries of figure skating at every turn couldn’t possibly resist a trick this flashy.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s a virtuoso achievement, an immersive experience for the reader.

From Los Angeles Times

Here, across 12 minutes, the orchestra turns a four-note motif into a vivid tone poem—shifting moods and colors, restless movement, and a brilliant closing spotlight for virtuoso clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• magician
• musician
• prodigy