connoisseur
kon-uh-SUR
/ˌkɒnəˈsɜːr/
An expert judge in matters of taste.
Implies not just a liking for something, but a deep, educated knowledge that allows for critical judgment.
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'cognoscere' (to know). It literally means 'one who knows.' In the 18th century, it became the standard term for someone who could tell a real masterpiece from a fake.
Word relationships
- expert: Expert is a general term; connoisseur is specifically used for the arts and matters of taste.
- aficionado: An aficionado is a very passionate fan; a connoisseur is a more clinical, knowledgeable judge.
- layman: A person without professional or specialized knowledge in a particular subject.
- novice: A person new to and inexperienced in a job or situation.
Commonly confused with
- gourmet: A gourmet enjoys fine food; a connoisseur judges it with expertise.
Word family
- connoisseurship (noun): The state of being a connoisseur.
Collocations
- wine connoisseur
- art connoisseur
- connoisseur of
- true connoisseur
Example sentences
- "As a wine connoisseur, he could identify the vineyard and the vintage after just one sip." Describing a wine expert.
- "He was a connoisseur of fine art and even finer dinners." A classic literary reference.
Memory hook
Con-no-isseur: Someone who 'knows' (no) the 'con' (trick) from the truth. The one who truly knows.
When not to use
Don't use it for someone who is just a 'fan' or 'enthusiast' without the technical knowledge to back it up.
Fun facts
- The spelling 'connoisseur' is actually an archaic French spelling; modern French uses 'connaisseur'.
Also appears in
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