1 impresario | Definition of impresario

impresario

noun
im·​pre·​sa·​rio | \ ˌim-prə-ˈsär-ē-ˌō How to pronounce impresario (audio) , -ˈser-, -ˈzär-\
plural impresarios

Definition of impresario

1 : the promoter, manager, or conductor of an opera or concert company
2 : a person who puts on or sponsors an entertainment (such as a television show or sports event)

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Did You Know?

English borrowed "impresario" directly from Italian, whose noun impresa means "undertaking." A close relative is the English word emprise ("an adventurous, daring, or chivalric enterprise"), which, like "impresario," traces back to the Latin verb prehendere, meaning "to seize." (That verb is also the source of our "apprehend," "comprehend," and "prehensile.") English speakers were impressed enough with "impresario" to borrow it in the 1740s, at first using it, as the Italians did, especially of opera company managers. (By the way, despite their apparent similarities, "impress" and "impresario" are not related. "Impress" is a descendant of a Latin verb that means "to press.")

Examples of impresario in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then Watkins Glen pulled out, leaving Lang — the original Woodstock’s brashest impresario, still milking the brand at age 74 — scrambling for an alternative site. Tom Carson, Los Angeles Times, "Woodstock glorified them. Tarantino barbecued them. In 2019, whither the hippie?," 15 Aug. 2019 Under the tutelage of the late Roger Ailes, later the Fox News impresario, Nixon showed himself to be a competent, if not charismatic, TV performer. Elaine C. Kamarck, Washington Post, "Eight men, one chaotic election and the birth of the modern primary system," 18 July 2019 John is also the president, founder, and chief impresario of the Edge Foundation, which has earned a stellar reputation as an eclectic platform for conversations that involve scientists, artists, and technologists. Evgeny Morozov, The New Republic, "Jeffrey Epstein’s Intellectual Enabler," 22 Aug. 2019 Over the past decade, the impresario (née Rayne Baron) has dazzled with repeat curated LGBTQ soirées across the 212 like Holy Mountain, Battle Hymn, 11:11 and Shade. Nick Williams, Billboard, "Listen To Ladyfag's Summer of Pride Mix Ahead of LadyLand Festival & U.S. World Pride 2019," 25 June 2019 One of five kids born to the Death Row Records impresario, Knight was 5 when his father was released from prison in 2001 for violating the terms of his probation from an assault case. Los Angeles Times, "Suge Jacob Knight steps out of his father’s shadow — one million-dollar home at a time," 29 July 2019 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Giannis Antetokounmpo – Bucks star, NBA MVP, sneaker impresario and the toast of Milwaukee – had a few words of advice Sunday afternoon for two lucky fans. Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Giannis Antetokounmpo shows off MVP trophy to thousands of excited Bucks fans," 14 July 2019 Bar Bevy This is the cocktail lounge above the Swan, the Miami Design District hotspot owned by Pharrell Williams (rapper, singer, producer, fashion designer) and David Grutman (nightlife impresario LIV, Story, Komodo, Planta). San Diego Union-Tribune, "Best happy hours in Miami, Lauderdale, Boca, Delray, West Palm Beach and other South Florida cities.," 12 Mar. 2019 Kurz and his clients beat out the XFL, backed by wrestling impresario Vince McMahon, and Major League Football during the sale conducted by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta. Patrick Danner, ExpressNews.com, "Bankrupt football league’s gear sold at San Antonio court auction," 3 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'impresario.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of impresario

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for impresario

Italian, from impresa undertaking, from imprendere to undertake, from Vulgar Latin *imprehendere — more at emprise

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More Definitions for impresario

impresario

noun

English Language Learners Definition of impresario

: a person who manages a performance (such as a concert or play)

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More from Merriam-Webster on impresario

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with impresario

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for impresario

Spanish Central: Translation of impresario

Nglish: Translation of impresario for Spanish Speakers