mastermind

mas-ter-mind · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (noun) A person who plans and directs a complex scheme or operation.

  2. 2.

    (noun) A person of outstanding intellect.

  3. 3.

    (verb) To plan and direct a complex scheme or operation.

  4. 4.

    (noun) A board game of codebreaking and deduction.

Forms

plural: masterminds

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    criminal mastermind — The brain behind a criminal operation
  • •
    mastermind group — A peer-to-peer mentoring concept

Related words

Antonyms: follower, subordinate
See also: architect, genius, planner, strategist
Synonyms: architect, genius, planner

Etymology

Compound of master + mind, first attested in the early 18th century. The modern sense of "one who plans a criminal operation" developed in the 20th century.