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

Written and produced alongside pop-rock maestro Andrew Watt with additional work from The National’s Aaron Dessner and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, the album tracks Carlile’s own untangling of deeply personal insecurities around ego, legacy, politics and independence. —Stephen Daw, Billboard, 24 Oct. 2025

On the offensive end, Horford’s floor spacing unlocks Draymond to operate as a perimeter screener and a short-roll maestro. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025

David is the maestro on all of that. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 18 Oct. 2025

Against West Virginia late in the regular season, the Cougars moved off man-to-man to slow the Mountaineers’ on-ball maestro, guard Javon Small. —Jim Root, New York Times, 10 Oct. 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