mastermind
Mastermind (noun) means a person of exceptional intelligence, especially one who plans something complex. Example: “Police believe he was the mastermind behind the entire scheme.”
How to use mastermind
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe brilliant (often behind-the-scenes) planner of a complex operation, or the act of planning one.
Word forms
masterminded past tense, masterminds plural, masterminds singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Police believe he was the _____ behind the entire scheme.
Etymology
From master plus mind.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for mastermind
See all rhymes for mastermind →Frequently asked questions
What does “mastermind” mean?
The word “mastermind” means a person of exceptional intelligence, especially one who plans something complex. In plain terms, the brilliant (often behind-the-scenes) planner of a complex operation, or the act of planning one.
How do you pronounce “mastermind”?
“Mastermind” is pronounced MAH-stuh-muh-ihnd (/ˈmæs.tɚˌmaɪnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “mastermind” in a sentence?
Here is “mastermind” used in a sentence: “Police believe he was the mastermind behind the entire scheme.”
What part of speech is “mastermind”?
Depending on how it is used, “mastermind” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “mastermind” a common word?
“Mastermind” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mastermind” have?
“Mastermind” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person of exceptional intelligence, especially one who plans something complex.