English Explanatory Dictionary

maven

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An expert in a given field; also, a person who is interested in and knowledgeable about a particular activity or thing; an aficionado.
name
  1. Acronym of Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, a space probe designed to investigate the Martian climate.

Pronunciation

/ˈmeɪvn̩/ māvən /ˈmeɪv(ə)n/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-maven.wav

Word forms

maven mavens mavin mayven mayvin

Etymology

From Yiddish מבֿין (meyvn, “connoisseur, expert, know-it-all”), from Hebrew מֵבִין (mevín, “one who understands, connoisseur, expert”), from הֵבִין (hevín, “to understand”). The word is said to have been popularized by its use in an advertising campaign for Vita Herring launched in the United States in 1964, which had a character called the “beloved [herring] maven” promoting the product.

Synonyms

cognoscente connoisseur adept ace artist buff crackerjack crack hand dab dab hand dabster don hand expert Jedi Master master maven old hand old soldier old stager past master proficient top gun whiz wiz wizard veteran

Antonyms

abecedarian alphabetarian apprentice amateur beginner bun colt first-timer fledgling FNG fresh meat freshman greenhorn greenie greener homo novus inceptor initiate Johnny-come-lately learner neophyte newbie newb newbro new chum newcomer newfag newfriend newling noob n00b novice novitiate nozzer nub nubcake puny pup probationer probationist probie recruit stranger rookie tenderfoot trainee tyro younker

Derived words

mavenhood mavenry webmaven
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