WORD OF THE DAY: Cognoscente
[kahn-yə-SHEN-tee]
Part of speech: Noun
Origin: Italian, late 18th century
Definition: A connoisseur; a discerning expert
Examples of Cognoscente in a sentence
“Jackie took special pride in her reputation as a film cognoscente.”
“While he could make anything behind the bar, Jerome worked best as a wine cognoscente.”
About Cognoscente
This word — which translates directly into “people who know” — developed in the late 18th century from the Italian words “cognoscent” (getting to know) and “cognoscere.”
Did you Know?
While there are specific training programs that one can apply to in order to become a wine cognoscente, a person can also become a connoisseur through personal experience. Attending workshops on the craft, listening to recommendations from people established in the field, and getting hands-on experience in wineries are all recommended ways to get started as a sommelier.
