masterly
Americanadjective
adverb
adjective
Commonly Confused
See masterful.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of masterly
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; see origin at master, -ly
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.
In “His Masterly Pen,” a thoroughly engrossing study of Thomas Jefferson, Fred Kaplan demonstrates that he, too, wields a masterly pen.
From Washington Post • Nov. 22, 2022
Fred Kaplan, who focused on Lincoln’s prose in “Lincoln: The Biography of a Writer,” now assesses Thomas Jefferson in “His Masterly Pen: A Biography of Jefferson the Writer.”
From Seattle Times • Aug. 25, 2022
Masterly but gleeful technicians, fleet in dynamics and changes of direction, these two — with the same dark-glinting eyes — are kindred spirits.
From New York Times • Dec. 7, 2018
Masterly in technical skill and emotional effect, the results represent one of the artistic peaks of Hollywood in its golden age.
From The Guardian • Aug. 23, 2010
Out of character, for a good and virtuous proletarian; almost Masterly, in fact.
From A Slave is a Slave by Piper, H. Beam
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
