maestro

noun

mae·​stro ˈmī-(ˌ)strō 

plural maestros or maestri ˈmī-ˌstrē 

: a master usually in an art

especially : an eminent composer, conductor, or teacher of music

Synonyms of maestro

• expert
• master
• virtuoso
• scholar
• adept
• wizard
• guru
• artist

Examples of maestro in a Sentence

a maestro of the violin

Recent Examples on the Web

Given the displays earlier in the day from Mbappé and Haaland, expectations were high for the Argentine maestro to meet their level. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 17 June 2026

Opera is a classic Argento giallo and one of the genre maestro’s last great films. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 9 June 2026

Luka Modrić is regarded as a midfield maestro, combining control, vision, passing, and technical artistry. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 June 2026

By greatly expanding the dimensions of his images, with their muted palettes, tight cropping, found symmetries, and laconic wit, had the maestro of the photographic epigram betrayed his subtractive aesthetic? —James Quandt, Artforum, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, master, from Latin magister — more at master

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

maestro

noun

mae·​stro ˈmī-strō 

plural maestros or maestri -ˌstrē 

: a master of an art and especially of music

Etymology

from Italian maestro, literally "master," from Latin magister "master, one who holds a higher political office" — related to magistrate, master