connoisseur

/ˌkɒnəˈsɜɹ/

Group 6Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(noun)
An expert judge in matters of fine art or taste
GRE

Example in Context

The wine connoisseur detected subtle notes of blackcurrant and cedar that escaped the notice of less experienced tasters.

Synonyms

expertspecialistaficionado

Etymology

A person who knows and appreciates fine art or taste.

  • connaître (French) — to know

Memory Aid

🍦Sounds like “cone of sure

Imagine a giant CONE OF SURE ice cream, and only a CONNOISSEUR can tell you the best flavor!

Visual Association

🍷A refined individual swirling a glass of wine, savoring every note of its flavor.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “connoisseur” mean on the GRE?

connoisseur (noun) means “An expert judge in matters of fine art or taste”. The wine connoisseur detected subtle notes of blackcurrant and cedar that escaped the notice of less experienced tasters.

How to remember “connoisseur” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “connoisseur” sounds like “cone of sure”. Imagine a giant CONE OF SURE ice cream, and only a CONNOISSEUR can tell you the best flavor!

What are synonyms for “connoisseur”?

Common synonyms: expert, specialist, aficionado.