What does masterminding mean?
Masterminding is the present participle and gerund of the verb mastermind. It means planning, coordinating, and directing a complicated scheme or operation, usually with skill and often from behind the scenes. The word is most familiar from crime reporting, where it describes the person who devises a robbery, fraud, or conspiracy without necessarily carrying it out. It is not limited to wrongdoing, though. People also speak of masterminding a political campaign, a business turnaround, a sporting victory, or a large public event, and in those settings the tone is admiring. The word suggests intellect and foresight as much as authority: the person masterminding something is the one who sees the whole design and keeps its many parts moving. Because it works as both a participle and a gerund, it appears in phrases such as 'masterminding the plan' and 'her role in masterminding the campaign'. It is a vivid, compact way to credit, or blame, the guiding intelligence behind an undertaking.
verbThe present participle and gerund of mastermind: planning, directing, and controlling a complex or clever scheme or operation, especially from behind the scenes.
- Planning and directing a complex scheme or operation, especially covertly or from behind the scenes.
- Planning and overseeing a large project with skill, with no negative implication.
"She spent two years masterminding the restoration of the old theatre, from fundraising to the final coat of paint."
"Investigators believe he was masterminding the smuggling ring from a villa abroad."
"Masterminding a project of this scale takes patience, foresight, and a willingness to delegate."
Mastermind began as a noun for a brilliant planner in the 1800s, and only later turned into a verb meaning to plan a scheme from behind the scenes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does masterminding come from?
Masterminding is formed from the verb mastermind, which comes from the noun mastermind, a compound of master and mind. The noun, meaning a person of great intellect, dates from the 19th century, and the verb use, meaning to plan and direct a scheme, developed in the 20th century. Master comes ultimately from Latin magister, and mind from Old English gemynd.
Related word forms
How masterminding is actually used
Neutral to slightly informal in register. It often carries a criminal or conspiratorial connotation in news reporting, but can be used approvingly for ambitious legitimate projects. It usually takes a direct object naming the scheme.
Easily confused with masterminding
Masterminding means planning and directing a scheme, while mentoring means advising and guiding a less experienced person.