# Leonardo

/ˌɫiəˈnɑɹdoʊ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/leonardo
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the historical person

noun · CEFR B1

Leonardo da Vinci, the famous Italian artist and scientist who lived during the Renaissance.

For teachers: Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519), the Italian Renaissance polymath renowned for his contributions to art, science, and engineering.

- Many people visit the museum just to see the works of Leonardo.
- Scholars continue to debate the extent of Leonardo's scientific observations, which were often centuries ahead of his contemporaries.

### 2. an artwork

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a painting or drawing created by Leonardo da Vinci.

For teachers: An informal metonym for an original painting or drawing attributed to Leonardo da Vinci.

- The gallery was proud to display a real Leonardo in their collection.
- The discovery of a previously unknown Leonardo would be the most significant event in the art world for decades.

Usage: Typically used with an indefinite article ('a Leonardo') to refer to one piece of work.

## Examples

- He is a real Leonardo because he paints and builds robots.
- The tech industry often looks for a modern Leonardo who can bridge the gap between creative design and complex software engineering.
- To call him a Leonardo of the digital age might be hyperbolic, yet his contributions to both theoretical physics and classical sculpture suggest a rare breadth of intellect.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.