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

Among other things, Fragile is the most eloquent showcase of the band members’ dazzling instrumental virtuosity. —Darryn King, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

His rhythms began slowly, like a freight train creaking to life, and within seconds reached mesmerizing highs of elegant virtuosity. —Taran Dugal, Rolling Stone, 16 Dec. 2024

Beethoven’s response was 33 variations, taking more than an hour to play, some of which mock the request, others taking the original theme to extraordinary heights of beauty and virtuosity. —Andrew Binns, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Can a set of show tunes and Great American Songbook standards, rendered with a healthy measure of respect and virtuosity, also be a punk-rock show? —Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Oct. 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