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

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

Examples of maestro in a Sentence

a maestro of the violin

Recent Examples on the Web

Christopher McDonald plays Happy’s comically villainous, arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, maestro of the finger guns. —Skyler Trepel, EW.com, 25 July 2025

For Frankenstein, the Marine Terminal, which has served as a production hub for Netflix, had a full-scale ship floating in the waters off Lake Ontario for the maestro of monsters’ movie shoot. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2025

Here, Gustavo already had tons of practice, and the maestro was right there by his side teaching him. —Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 17 July 2025

Most touching were the moments of partnership between not just the three veteran maestros but the band. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025

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