virtuoso

plural virtuosos · plural virtuosi

1. historicalAn expert in virtù or art objects and antiquities; a connoisseur.First known use 17th c.

   For, besides the extraordinary Neatness of the Room, it was adorned with a great Number of Nicknacks, and Curiosities, which might have engaged the Attention of a Virtuoso.

   1749, Henry Fielding, chapter 10, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume III, London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book VIII, page 224

2. Someone with special skill or knowledge; an expert.First known use 17th c.

   Facial surgeons are now virtuosi.

   2025 October 11, Jo Ellison, “The forever 35 face of fashion”, in FT Weekend (Life & Arts section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 23

   1 more example

   The prefect who officiated on this occasion was a "tolley" virtuoso, and he did his best to bring out the resources of his instrument.

   1907, The Messenger, page 147

3. Specifically, a musician (or other performer) with masterly ability, technique, or personal style.First known use 18th c.

comparative more virtuoso · superlative most virtuoso

1. Exhibiting the ability of a virtuoso.

   On Friday, the Thai police said he was under arrest and charged as a pedophile after computer experts had unswirled the digitally altered face in a virtuoso act of electronic decoding.

   2007 October 20, Seth Mydans, “Thai Police Arrest Pedophile Suspect”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 09 Nov 2020

   1 more example

   Instead, he was able to sit alongside De Bruyne on the City bench admiring a virtuoso performance from Foden, pulling every string in the number 10 role and illustrating again why he is so important to Guardiola, and why he simply must start for Gareth Southgate's England at Euro 2024.

   2024 April 3, Phil McNulty, “Man City 4-1 Aston Villa: Phil Foden produces 'masterclass' to show worth again”, in BBC Sport