# mastermind

/ˈmæstɝˌmaɪnd/ (US) · /mˈɑːstəmˌaɪnd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 2. a brilliant person

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

someone who is extremely intelligent or highly skilled in a specific area.

For teachers: a person possessing extraordinary intellectual capability or superior technical skill.

- The young chess player was described as a mathematical mastermind.
- The university sought a creative mastermind to lead the new department of theoretical physics.

Usage: Usually followed by 'behind' or 'of' when linked to a specific field.

Teaching tip: This sense is less common in everyday speech than the 'planner' sense; it is often used in journalism to praise high achievers.

## Examples

- She was the mastermind behind the successful marketing campaign.
- Police are still searching for the mastermind who organized the elaborate bank robbery last month.
- While many contributed to the architectural design, it was the lead engineer who acted as the mastermind, coordinating the structural, aesthetic, and environmental requirements into a single cohesive vision.

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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.