virtuoso
Americannoun
plural
virtuosos, virtuosi-
a person who has special knowledge or skill in a field.
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a person who excels in musical technique or execution.
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a person who has a cultivated appreciation of artistic excellence, as a connoisseur or collector of objects of art, antiques, etc.
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Obsolete. a person who has special interest or knowledge in the arts and sciences; scientist; scholar.
adjective
noun
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a consummate master of musical technique and artistry
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a person who has a masterly or dazzling skill or technique in any field of activity
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a connoisseur, dilettante, or collector of art objects
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obsolete a scholar or savant
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(modifier) showing masterly skill or brilliance
a virtuoso performance
Other Word Forms
- virtuosic adjective
- virtuosity noun
Etymology
Origin of virtuoso
1610–20; < Italian: versed, skilled < Late Latin virtuosus virtuous
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.
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 • Jan. 16, 2026
Pep Guardiola is so smitten by Rayan Cherki that the Manchester City boss said he wanted to kiss the "incredible" French star after his virtuoso performance in Saturday's 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest.
From Barron's • Dec. 27, 2025
Along with his Long Beach Opera gig, Rountree is founder and music director of Wild Up, the avant-garde chamber orchestra of virtuoso musicians, all of whom happen to be progressive composers as well.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 10, 2025
“Partnering with the brilliant and virtuoso Village Directors Circle to renovate the Village Theater is an exciting milestone for the American Cinematheque,” AC Chair Rick Nicita said.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2025
Some of the time he seems to be practicing, like a virtuoso in his apartment.
From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas
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.
