connoisseur

noun

con·​nois·​seur ˌkä-nə-ˈsər 

also -ˈsu̇r

1

: expert

especially : one who understands the details, technique, or principles of an art and is competent to act as a critical judge

a connoisseur of music

2

: one who enjoys with discrimination and appreciation of subtleties

a connoisseur of fine wines

connoisseurship

ˌkä-nə-ˈsər-ˌship 

also -ˈsu̇r-

noun

Synonyms of connoisseur

• scholar
• devotee
• dilettante
• collector

Examples of connoisseur in a Sentence

Police reporting had made me a connoisseur of auto accidents. Some people could tell a fake Rembrandt from the real thing; I could tell a run-of-the-mill fender bender from a real accident. —Russell Baker, The Good Times, 1989

It was apple juice. Ortiz watched him drink it with all the delicacy of a wine connoisseur sampling new bordeaux. —Tom Clancy, The Cardinal of the Kremlin, (1988) 1989

He was a voracious reader, a strong critic, an art connoisseur in certain directions, a collector of books, but above all he was a man of the world by profession, and loved the contacts—perhaps the collisions—of society. —Henry Adams, The Education of Henry Adams, 1907

She is a connoisseur of African art.

a forthcoming exhibit at the art museum that is eagerly awaited by connoisseurs of ancient Greek pottery

Recent Examples on the Web

Thankfully, the crew of The Pitt held it down for the fashion connoisseurs who stayed up late to see the stars who took the opportunity to switch things up for Emmys after-parties. — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2026

Wine connoisseurs at a blind tasting in which stemware is passed through portholes look like peep show patrons. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026

If nothing else, the galleries of the Lucas Museum appear designed specifically to make certain critics and connoisseurs roar. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Allison is a true clothing connoisseur, amassing her impressive collection of high-quality apparel over decades. — Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

obsolete French (now connaisseur), from Old French connoisseor, from connoistre to know, from Latin cognoscere — more at cognition

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for connoisseur

• amateur
• kieselguhr
• monseigneur
• procureur
• retransfer
• saboteur
• silencer
• voyageur
• birr
• blur
• bur
• cur

Kids Definition

connoisseur

noun

con·​nois·​seur ˌkän-ə-ˈsər 

-ˈsu̇(ə)r

: an expert in a particular subject (as art or wine)

connoisseurship

-ˌship 

noun

Etymology

from obsolete French connoisseur "expert," from early French connoisseor (same meaning), from connoistre "to know," from Latin cognoscere "to know" — related to incognito, recognize