maven

noun

ma·​ven ˈmā-vən 

variants or less commonly mavin

: one who is experienced or knowledgeable : expert

a language maven

policy mavens

computer mavens

also : freak sense 2a

Synonyms of maven

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

Examples of maven in a Sentence

an investment maven, he was doing well even when the market was doing poorly

a science-fiction maven who could talk for hours about fictional technology

Recent Examples on the Web

In March, the Illinois attorney general’s public access bureau ordered the University of Illinois to turn over a copy of the Big Ten’s media rights deal to Michael Leroy, a U of I law professor and public records maven. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 17 Dec. 2025

The Thunder deployed 6-foot-5 defensive maven Alex Caruso on the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama with a 101-100 lead. —Law Murray, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2025

The sci-fi comedy follows a Paige, Keke Palmer and Naomi Ackie as a crew of boosters (aka professional shoplifters/equal opportunists), who take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Dec. 2025

This latest love story from YA romance maven Lynn Painter finds childhood friends reuniting as teenagers in their hockey-loving Minnesota hometown. —Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 4 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Yiddish meyvn, from Late Hebrew mēbhīn

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for maven

• craven
• flavin
• graven
• haven
• pavan
• raven
• shaven
• engraven
• unshaven
• riboflavin