Word
maven
US/ˈmeɪvən/
UK/mˈævən/
Definition
n. someone who has a lot of knowledge about a particular topic, like fashion, technology, or cooking.
n. an expert or connoisseur in a specific field; often used to describe someone who is a trusted source of information or trends.
Examples
“She is a real maven when it comes to vintage cars.”
“If you want to learn about local history, you should ask the museum curator; she is a true maven in this field.”
“The conference was a gathering of industry mavens who shared their insights on emerging trends, providing the attendees with a rare opportunity to learn from the best in the business.”
Examples
simple
“She is a real maven when it comes to vintage cars.”
contextual
“If you want to learn about local history, you should ask the museum curator; she is a true maven in this field.”
complex
“The conference was a gathering of industry mavens who shared their insights on emerging trends, providing the attendees with a rare opportunity to learn from the best in the business.”
Usage
Often used with a modifier to specify the field of expertise, such as 'style maven' or 'tech maven'.
Teaching tip
While it implies expertise, it is less formal than 'specialist' and suggests a more passionate, social role in sharing that knowledge.
Real-World Examples
“A rainy-day delight for trivia mavens of 7 or 8+.” Etymology
From Yiddish מבֿין (meyvn, “connoisseur, expert, know-it-all”), from Hebrew מֵבִין (mevín, “one who understands, connoisseur, expert”), from הֵבִין (hevín, “to understand”). The word is said to have been popularized by its use in an advertising campaign for Vita Herring launched in the United States in 1964, which had a character called the “beloved [herring] maven” promoting the product.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.