virtuoso
UK: ˌvɜː.tʃuˈəʊ.səʊ | US: ˌvɜːr.tʃuˈoʊ.soʊ
n. a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit
n. (historical) a connoisseur or collector of art objects
adj. demonstrating exceptional technical skill in the arts
The word virtuoso emerged in 17th-century Italy, initially describing collectors of fine art (virtù objects) and later musicians whose technical mastery embodied "excellence." The Latin root virtus (virtue) reflects the Renaissance ideal of blending moral and artistic prowess. Over time, the term narrowed to emphasize technical brilliance in performance.
Paganini was a violin virtuoso whose techniques seemed superhuman.
The gallery owner was a virtuoso in identifying Renaissance masterpieces.
Her virtuoso piano performance left the audience breathless.
Modern gamers achieve virtuoso-level precision in competitive esports.
The chef’s virtuoso plating transformed dishes into edible art.