cognoscente
- noun
- /ˌkɒnəˈʃɛnti/
- Formal
:
cognoscente
- His friends often call him a cognoscente of fine wines for his extensive knowledge and discerning taste.
Examples
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The exhibition attracted many cognoscenti, who appreciated the intricate details of the sculptures.
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As a renowned art critic, she was considered a true cognoscente of contemporary paintings.
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It had also given him the discerning eye of a cognoscente, which a meager salary and the financial burden of a mother in a nursing home prevented him from exercising except in the performance of his custodial duties.
Fiction book (1994)
Synonyms
27
7.7
A person who really likes and knows a lot about a subject or activity
27
8.6
A person who knows a lot about good food, art, or other things people enjoy
1
9.9
A person who knows a lot about a subject and advises others
A person who knows a lot about a subject and can judge its quality, like wine or art
Antonyms
How Knowledgeable
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word cognoscente comes from the Italian conoscente, which means 'knowing' and from Latin cognoscere 'to know', so you can link it to the simple English word know. So a cognoscente is someone who really knows a field and can enjoy its fine details.