noun
Uncommon
mastermind
MAH-stuh-muh-ihnd
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.”
noun
1
A person of exceptional intelligence, especially one who plans something complex.
"Police believe he was the mastermind behind the entire scheme."
verb
1
To plan and direct a complicated scheme or operation.
"She masterminded the company's entire rebranding strategy."
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.
Common pairings
criminal mastermind
mastermind a plot
mastermind behind
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Word forms
- Plural
- masterminds
- Third person singular
- masterminds
- Past tense
- masterminded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Police believe he was the _____ behind the entire scheme.
Etymology
From master plus mind.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
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.
