virtuoso

[ vur-choo-oh-soh ]

noun

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

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.

adjective

1. Also vir·tu·os·ic [] of, relating to, or characteristic of a virtuoso:

   a virtuoso performance.

virtuoso

/ 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

Derived Forms

• virtuosic, adjective
• ˌvirtuˈosity, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of virtuoso¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of virtuoso¹

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

Related Words

• magician
• musician
• prodigy