Word
mastermind
Phoneticsmas·ter·mind, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmæstɝˌmaɪnd/
UK/mˈɑːstəmˌaɪnd/
Definitions
01the planner of an operation
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the person who plans and organizes a complicated project, especially a secret or illegal one.
n. the individual responsible for the high-level strategic planning and oversight of a complex operation, often used in criminal or military contexts.
“Police are still searching for the mastermind behind the bank robbery.”
“Intelligence agencies identified the mastermind behind the cyberattack, noting the sophisticated coordination required to bypass the national security protocols.”
Synonyms
02to plan a project
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to be the person who plans and directs a complicated activity.
v. to plan, direct, or coordinate a complex project or operation in the capacity of a mastermind.
“She helped mastermind the company's successful move into the international market.”
“The campaign manager masterminded the entire election strategy, successfully navigating three major scandals before the final vote.”
Usage
This is a transitive verb and requires a direct object, such as a plan, scheme, or operation.
Synonyms
03a brilliant person
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Literary
n. someone who is extremely intelligent or very skilled at something.
n. a person possessing extraordinary intellectual capability or superior skill compared to their peers.
“The young chess player was described as a mathematical mastermind.”
“The university recruited the physics mastermind to lead the new research department, citing his unprecedented contributions to quantum theory.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“A senior adviser to many of Latin America’s new wave of far-right leaders has been arrested for allegedly masterminding the attempted murder of his girlfriend.” “In the opening day of Tupac Shakur's murder trial, prosecutors painted former gang leader Duane "Keffe D" Davis as someone seeking revenge before masterminding the drive-by shooting that killed the iconic rapper.” Etymology
From master + mind.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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