virtuosity

noun

plural virtuosities
Synonyms of virtuositynext
1
: great technical skill (as in the practice of a fine art)
2
: a taste for or interest in virtu

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Is virtuosity, on its own, enough? Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2026 His virtuosity as a world-class vocalist was second to none. Daniela Avila, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026 His genius was not merely technical virtuosity on the trumpet. Bill Fischer, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 But the media dug the myth a little too much; their consuming embrace of it carried a racist undertone, as if Basquiat could only be understood as a derelict version of virtuosity. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for virtuosity

Word History

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of virtuosity was in 1673

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Cite this Entry

“Virtuosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virtuosity. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

virtuosity

noun
plural virtuosities
: great performing ability in the fine arts

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