Word
virtuoso
Phoneticsvir·tu·oso
US/vɝtʃuˈoʊsoʊ/
UK/vˌɜːtjuːˈəʊsəʊ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who is extremely skilled at a specific activity, especially music. You use this to describe someone who plays an instrument or performs with great talent and style.
n. a person who is exceptionally skilled in a particular field, especially music. Often used to describe a performer who demonstrates technical mastery and artistic flair.
Examples
“The young pianist is a virtuoso who plays difficult pieces with ease.”
“The orchestra welcomed a guest virtuoso to perform a challenging concerto during the final movement.”
“While many musicians focus on technical precision, a true virtuoso balances that with a deep emotional connection to the music, making every performance feel spontaneous and alive.”
Examples
simple
“The young pianist is a virtuoso who plays difficult pieces with ease.”
contextual
“The orchestra welcomed a guest virtuoso to perform a challenging concerto during the final movement.”
complex
“While many musicians focus on technical precision, a true virtuoso balances that with a deep emotional connection to the music, making every performance feel spontaneous and alive.”
Real-World Examples
“Alexander Isak was the £125m striker who finally arrived at Liverpool by tormenting Ipswich Town - while Cody Gakpo's virtuoso performance had them giving thanks he never left.” “Over the past three years, Brazilian saxophonist and composer Gaia Wilmer has reimagined the catalogues of her country’s virtuosos so radically that it’s become a signature art.” Etymology
Borrowed from Italian virtuoso, from Late Latin virtuōsus (“virtuous”), from Latin virtus (“excellence”). Doublet of virtuous.
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
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/virtuoso