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

But Steve Vai and Joe Satriani continue to draw loyal audiences craving their deep, roller coaster-like dives into unbridled six-string virtuosity. —George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026

Pictures is usually presented as a display of Ravel’s orchestrational virtuosity, deftly contrasting bright and dark colors, always with a certain French clarity and elegance. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 1 Mar. 2026

From tender ballads to barn-burning breakdowns, experience the raw virtuosity and close-harmony storytelling of bluegrass elevated by the rich, full sound of the Pops. —Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Feb. 2026

Her performances span guitar, piano, and drums, played in odd time signatures and strange arrangements, with an almost feverish virtuosity. —Precious Fondren, Pitchfork, 24 Feb. 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