# pianist

/ˈpiənɪst/ (US) · /pˈiənɪst/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. musician

noun · CEFR A2

a person who plays the piano, especially as a professional or with great skill.

For teachers: a person who plays the piano, typically implying a degree of proficiency or professional status.

- The pianist played a beautiful song at the end of the wedding.
- The concert pianist received a standing ovation after her flawless interpretation of the Rachmaninoff concerto.

### 2. wartime radio operator

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a secret name for a spy who used a radio to send messages during World War II.

For teachers: a clandestine radio operator during the Second World War, responsible for transmitting intelligence to headquarters.

- In the old movie, the pianist sent secret codes from a hidden room.
- Operating under constant threat of detection, the pianist transmitted the troop movements to London using a portable wireless set.

## Examples

- The pianist played a beautiful song for the guests.
- After years of daily practice, she finally found work as a professional pianist for a local jazz club.
- The concert pianist demonstrated remarkable technical skill, navigating the intricate passages of the concerto with a level of precision that left the audience in stunned silence.

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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.