mavens
Those who know
Mavens are experts or enthusiasts with deep knowledge in a particular field.
The word comes from Yiddish and carries a sense of someone whose expertise others seek out: Ask Sarah about wine—she's the maven, tech mavens, fashion mavens.
A maven isn't just knowledgeable but eager to share that knowledge.
Singular: maven.
Focused field authorities
- authoritiesThose holding official control
- connoisseursExpert judges of quality
- aficionadosArdent, knowledgeable enthusiasts
- gurusVenerated teachers or experts
savants · experts · virtuosos · cognoscenti · pundits · adepts · maestros · scholars
Those who initiate popular styles
- tastemakersThose shaping popular preferences
- influencersPeople with online sway
- opinion leadersInfluential shapers of thought
- authoritiesThose holding official control
endorsers · advocates · ambassadors · evangelists · thought leaders · gatekeepers · arbiters · bellwethers
Devices that join things
- introducersThose who present others
- networkersThose cultivating professional contacts
- matchmakersThose who arrange unions
- facilitatorsThose who aid progress
hubs · brokers · liaisons · go-betweens · middlemen · social butterflies · schmoozers · minglers
Deep perceptive understanding
- expertiseSkill from extensive practice
- savvyPractical shrewdness
- know-howPractical ability to accomplish
- acumenSharpness of mind
discernment · judgment · wisdom · understanding · specialization · mastery · proficiency · connoisseurship
specialists
Focused field authorities
- authoritiesThose holding official control
- connoisseursExpert judges of quality
- aficionadosArdent, knowledgeable enthusiasts
gurus · savants · experts · virtuosos · cognoscenti · pundits · adepts · maestros · scholars · analysts
trendsetters
Those who initiate popular styles
- tastemakersThose shaping popular preferences
- influencersPeople with online sway
- opinion leadersInfluential shapers of thought
authorities · endorsers · advocates · ambassadors · evangelists · thought leaders · gatekeepers · arbiters · bellwethers · curators
connectors
Devices that join things
- introducersThose who present others
- networkersThose cultivating professional contacts
- matchmakersThose who arrange unions
facilitators · hubs · brokers · liaisons · go-betweens · middlemen · social butterflies · schmoozers · minglers · dealmakers
insight
Deep perceptive understanding
- expertiseSkill from extensive practice
- savvyPractical shrewdness
- know-howPractical ability to accomplish
acumen · discernment · judgment · wisdom · understanding · specialization · mastery · proficiency · connoisseurship · taste
- expertsexperts, expert, specialist, masters, specialists
- trendsetterstrendsetter, trendsetters, influencer, fashionistas, style icons
- intelligentsiaintellectuals, professors, intelligentsia, academics, philosophers
- enthusiastsenthusiasts, fans, devotee, enthusiast, buff
- influencersinfluencer, influencers, content creator, PewDiePie, Instagram influencers