Synonyms

Master of Arts

American

noun

a master's degree given usually in a specific branch of the humanities or social sciences.
a person who has been awarded this degree. M.A., A.M.

Master of Arts British

noun

MA. a degree, usually postgraduate and in a nonscientific subject, or the holder of this degree

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Master of Arts

First recorded in 1490–1500

Compare meaning

How does master-of-arts compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

Master of Arts vs. Master of Science

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Hey, Master-of-Arts Duncan MacAlpine, this is a bonny downcome for your grandfather’s son, and you come of decent blood up in Glen Strae—to be great with the Advocate, and scribbling his blethers!

From The Dew of Their Youth by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023