virtuosity

noun

vir·tu·os·i·ty | \ ˌvər-chü-ˈä-sə-tē

plural virtuosities

Definition of virtuosity

1 : great technical skill (as in the practice of a fine art)

2 : a taste for or interest in virtu

Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about virtuosity

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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

Her virtuosity is admirable, as is her sharp comedic timing. — Daily Pilot, "On Theater: 39 wild and crazy ‘Steps’ at Mesa Playhouse," 26 Aug. 2019 In the case of composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), an anatomical endowment may have enhanced his virtuosity. — Ines Bellinger, National Geographic, "How Bach’s anatomy may have handed him greatness," 25 July 2019 But there’s virtuosity at work in this beguiling comedy that’s no less impressive for being improvisational, understated and refreshingly self-effacing. — Ann Hornaday, Twin Cities, "‘Sword of Trust’ is a beguiling, smart — and surprisingly deep — comedy," 25 July 2019 Patel, who spends most of the movie scowling and looking anxious, has a simple, pure voice that perfectly captures the mix of naivete and virtuosity that beguiled the Beatles’ fans in the first place. — The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "Review: ‘Yesterday’ is a lovely dalliance, if thin and a bit long," 27 June 2019 With its playful virtuosity and electro-acoustic instrumentation, the band created music that simultaneously evoked America’s pre-urban past and digital future, an utterly singular sound drawing on bluegrass, jazz, funk, Celtic music and far beyond. — Andrew Gilbert, The Mercury News, "Béla Fleck reunites the Flecktones for quickie tour that’s coming to Oakland," 6 June 2019 Bebop demanded new levels of virtuosity in terms of speed, precision, and command of harmony. — Mark Stryker, Detroit Free Press, "'Jazz from Detroit': Exclusive excerpt from new book about city's remarkable jazz legacy," 30 June 2019 Wendy Carlos used her virtuosity and open mindedness to take classical tropes, electrify them and have them represent violence,horror and mental and societal illness. — Nick Williams, Billboard, "Listen to Xiu Xiu's Summer of Pride Playlist for the 'Introverted & Unsocial'," 24 June 2019 The performances showed how effectively people with no pretense of virtuosity can make agreeable music come to life and reveal its significance. — Neil Genzlinger, BostonGlobe.com, "Michael Jaffee, who cofounded early-music group, dies at 81," 23 June 2019

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

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More Definitions for virtuosity

virtuosity

noun

English Language Learners Definition of virtuosity

formal : great ability or skill shown by a musician, performer, etc.

See the full definition for virtuosity in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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virtuosity

Definition of virtuosity

Did You Know?

Examples of virtuosity in a Sentence

First Known Use of virtuosity

English Language Learners Definition of virtuosity

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