Maven

Quick meaning: Maven is a noun meaning (chiefly US) An expert in a given field; also, a person who is interested in and knowledgeable about a particular activity or thing; an aficionado.

Meaning

(chiefly US) An expert in a given field; also, a person who is interested in and knowledgeable about a particular activity or thing; an aficionado.

Example Sentences

The goal for any media company is to be a maven—and therefore highly adept at using multiple channels of social media communication well.

Connectors know people—lots of people. Mavens know about things. They know, or find out first, what is going on. Connectors, says [Malcolm] Gladwell, need mavens to tell them what to buzz about.

Besides an executive sponsor, you need to find a technology maven, someone within the company who understands the new technology. A maven, as defined in Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point, is a person who has both information and the social skills to pass it along. The challenge in a situation such as this one is that the maven might be outside of IT.

Word Forms

• mavens
• mavin

Synonyms for maven

Depending on context, synonyms include cognoscente, connoisseur, adept, ace, artist, buff.

Antonyms for maven

Common opposites include abecedarian, alphabetarian, apprentice, amateur, beginner, bun.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include adept, genius, hotshot, wiz, wizard, sensation.

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