Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense masterminds, present participle masterminding, past tense, past participle masterminded
1. verb
If you mastermind a difficult or complicated activity, you plan it in detail and then make sure that it happens successfully.
The finance minister will continue to mastermind the country's economic reform. [VERB noun]
The bombings were masterminded by a known drugs smuggler. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: plan, manage, direct, organize More Synonyms of mastermind
2. countable noun [usually singular]
The mastermindbehind a difficult or complicated plan, often a criminal one, is the person who is responsible for planning and organizing it.
He was the mastermind behind the plan to acquire the explosives. [+ behind/of]
Synonyms: organizer, director, manager, authority More Synonyms of mastermind
mastermind in British English
(ˈmɑːstəˌmaɪnd)
verb
1. (transitive)
to plan and direct (a complex undertaking)
he masterminded the robbery
noun
2.
a person of great intelligence or executive talent, esp one who directs an undertaking
mastermind in American English
(ˈmæstərˌmaɪnd)
noun
1.
a very intelligent or clever person, esp. one with the ability to plan or direct a group project
verb transitive
2.
to be the mastermind of (a project)
Examples of 'mastermind' in a sentence
mastermind
He is set to become a working peer and likely to mastermind civil service reform.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
So why would the army be hiding a man who has been masterminding the attacks?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
What will happen to that plan if its mastermind departs?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It seems like the sort of thing a twisted criminal mastermind would do.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
But the man who masterminded the triumph was engaged in very different reflections.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But he is not a criminal mastermind.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Keep your work cards close to your chest today because a plan you have masterminded faces sudden changes.
The Sun (2012)
He is persuaded to stay on to keep a criminal mastermind alive long enough to spill the beans.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
That is not as daft as it sounds after the Italian masterminded this dazzling victory.
The Sun (2013)
The American spin doctor is the man masterminding the image factory.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
First, how much internet did this criminal mastermind steal?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But he masterminded a shock victory against his old charges, who also put out an experimental outfit.
The Sun (2011)
It is not known how he came to Europe to mastermind the attacks or if he remained in hiding.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In the next few months he will have a crucial role getting the economy back on track, finding more spending cuts and masterminding public service reform.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
THE alleged mastermind behind a gun smuggling plot was yesterday compared to a movie Mr Big.
The Sun (2016)
THE new IVF lottery mastermind is planning similar games for cancer victims and the elderly.
The Sun (2011)
In other languages
mastermind
British English: mastermind VERB
If you mastermind a difficult or complicated activity, you plan it in detail and then make sure that it happens successfully.
The finance minister will continue to mastermind the country's economic reform.
American English: mastermind
Brazilian Portuguese: planejar
Chinese: 策划
European Spanish: planificar
French: être le cerveau de
German: planen und ausführen
Italian: essere il cervello di
Japanese: 首謀する
Korean: 주도면밀하게 지휘하다
European Portuguese: planear
Latin American Spanish: planificar
British English: mastermind NOUN
The mastermind behind a difficult or complicated plan, often a criminal one, is the person who is responsible for planning and organizing it.
He was the mastermind behind the plan to acquire the musicians.
American English: mastermind
Brazilian Portuguese: cabeça
Chinese: 幕后操纵者
European Spanish: cerebro
French: cerveau
German: führender Kopf
Italian: mente
Japanese: 首謀者
Korean: 배후 조종자
European Portuguese: cabeça
Latin American Spanish: cerebro
Chinese translation of 'mastermind'
mastermind
(ˈmɑːstəmaɪnd)
vt
策划(劃) (cèhuà)
n(c)
策划(劃)者 (cèhuàzhě) (个(個), gè)
(verb)
Definition
to plan and direct a complex task or project
The finance minister will continue to mastermind economic reform.
Synonyms
plan
I had been planning a trip to the West Coast.
manage
Managing your time is increasingly important.
direct
She will direct day-to-day operations.
organize
We need someone to help organize our campaign.
devise
We devised a scheme to help him.
conceive
I began to conceive a plan of attack.
be the brains behind (informal)
(noun)
Definition
a person who plans and directs a complex task or project
She was the mastermind behind the plan.
Synonyms
organizer
the organizers of the event
director
He is the director of the unit.
manager
a retired bank manager
authority
engineer
a fully qualified civil engineer
brain(s) (informal)
architect
the country's chief architect of economic reform
genius
a 14-year-old mathematical genius
planner
intellect (informal)
My boss isn't a great intellect.
virtuoso
rocket scientist (informal)
brainbox
Additional synonyms
in the sense of architect
Definition
any planner or creator
the country's chief architect of economic reform
Synonyms
creator,
father,
shaper,
engineer,
author,
maker,
designer,
founder,
deviser,
planner,
inventor,
contriver,
originator,
prime mover,
instigator,
initiator
in the sense of conceive
Definition
to form in the mind
I began to conceive a plan of attack.
Synonyms
think up,
form,
produce,
create,
develop,
design,
project,
purpose,
devise,
formulate,
contrive
in the sense of devise
Definition
to work out (something) in one's mind
We devised a scheme to help him.
Synonyms
work out,
plan,
form,
design,
imagine,
frame,
arrange,
plot,
construct,
invent,
conceive,
formulate,
contrive,
dream up,
concoct,
think up
Nearby words of
mastermind
master
masterful
masterly
mastermind
masterpiece
masterstroke
mastery
Synonyms of 'mastermind'
mastermind
Explore 'mastermind' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of direct
Definition
to conduct or control the affairs of
She will direct day-to-day operations.
Synonyms
control,
run,
manage,
lead,
rule,
guide,
handle,
conduct,
advise,
govern,
regulate,
administer,
oversee,
supervise,
dispose,
preside over,
mastermind,
call the shots,
call the tune,
superintend
in the sense of director
Definition
a member of the governing board of a business, trust, etc.
He is the director of the unit.
Synonyms
controller,
head,
leader,
manager,
chief,
executive,
chairperson,
boss (informal),
producer,
governor,
principal,
administrator,
supervisor,
organizer,
helmer,
sherang (Australian, New Zealand)
in the sense of engineer
Definition
a person trained in any branch of engineering
a fully qualified civil engineer
Synonyms
designer,
producer,
architect,
developer,
deviser,
creator,
planner,
inventor,
stylist,
artificer,
originator,
couturier
in the sense of genius
Definition
a person with exceptional ability in a particular subject or activity