virtuosity

noun

vir·​tu·​os·​i·​ty ˌvər-chü-ˈä-sə-tē 

plural virtuosities

1

: great technical skill (as in the practice of a fine art)

2

: a taste for or interest in virtu

Did you know?

Virtuosity is used particularly to describe musicians, but also often for writers, actors, dancers, and athletes. A virtuoso is a highly skilled performer, and a virtuoso performance is one that astonishes the audience by its feats. In ancient Greece the cities would hold male competitions in acrobatics, conjuring, public reciting, blowing the trumpet, and acting out scenes from Homer's epics, the winners of which would have been praised as virtuous, or "full of manly virtues".

Examples of virtuosity in a Sentence

Her virtuosity on the piano is amazing.

Recent Examples on the Web

His score slips back and forth between hymnlike simplicity and operatic virtuosity. —Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2026

When the action shifts to England, the virtuosity of direction and performance, and this brand of theatrical expression, becomes more evident. —Demetrios Matheou, HollywoodReporter, 18 Feb. 2026

The performance is deliberately showy, and some voters may feel the virtuosity outweighs emotional revelation. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026

Garcia gave the band virtuosity; Lesh, with his avant-garde training, gave it ambition. —David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for virtuosity

• animosity
• curiosity
• generosity
• grandiosity
• nebulosity
• reciprocity
• tortuosity
• tuberosity
• atrocity
• ferocity
• monstrosity
• pomposity

Kids Definition

virtuosity

noun

vir·​tu·​os·​i·​ty ˌvər-chə-ˈwäs-ət-ē 

plural virtuosities

: great performing ability in the fine arts