masterful

[mas-ter-fuhl, mah-ster-]

adjective

1. dominating; self-willed; imperious.

   Synonyms: peremptory

2. having or showing the qualities of a master; authoritative; powerful.

3. showing mastery or skill; masterly.

   a masterful performance.

   Synonyms: matchless, skillful, skilled, expert, adept, complete, consummate

masterful

/ ˈmɑːstəfʊl /

adjective

1. having or showing mastery

2. fond of playing the master; imperious

3. masterly

Usage

The use of masterful to mean masterly as in a masterful performance , although common, is considered incorrect by many people

Confusables Note

At an earlier time, both masterful and masterly had two senses: “having a commanding or domineering nature or manner” and “possessing the skill of a master.” The earliest sense of masterly, “having a commanding nature,” has been obsolete since the 18th century. Masterful continues to be used in all varieties of speech and writing in both senses, despite the protests of some who prefer that masterful be restricted to the sense “dominating or imperious”: The envoy's masterful behavior irritated the citizens. Few painters have produced so many masterful (or masterly ) portraits.

Other Word Forms

• masterfully adverb
• masterfulness noun
• overmasterful adjective
• overmasterfully adverb
• overmasterfulness noun
• unmasterful adjective
• unmasterfully adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of masterful¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; master, -ful

Example Sentences

Formula One world champion Max Verstappen produced a masterful drive to win the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Saturday as McLaren's Lando Norris finished second to edge closer to a maiden drivers' title.

Read more on Barron's

Of course, another said she was masterful at “spin.”

Read more on Salon

Leaning into a slightly less alien soundscape than the one heard on “Eusexua,” the singer indulges in a masterful form of electronic edging — never going the predictable route.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Though India and Australia pose the biggest tests, England's masterful duo have sent a clear message.

Read more on BBC

Beth Mooney's masterful century rescued Australia from one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history and set up an ultimately resounding 107-run victory over Pakistan.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• adroit 
• deft 
• excellent 
• exquisite 
• first-rate 
• masterly 
• skillful