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

Added to that, this collection also reflects Lewis’ sporting side, his virtuosity and our functionality. —Felicity Carter, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

Shot in a stunning oner that shines a light on real-life figures like bandleader Snakehips Johnson, this marvelous aside is vintage McQueen in both its virtuosity and its use of music to bring history back to life — Sam Mendes could never. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 10 Oct. 2024

Madison is a prodigy of energy and transformative virtuosity, Eydelshteyn delivers an unusual blend of whimsy and pathos, and Borisov displays a soulful gravitas that fills the screen. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2024

Chad Smith and Watt previously played together in Eddie Vedder’s solo-tour band, the Earthlings, and the drummer’s casual virtuosity kept the whole thing from ever feeling like a wedding band. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

virtuosity

noun

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

plural virtuosities

: great performing ability in the fine arts