old master
Americannoun
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an eminent artist of an earlier period, especially from the 15th to the 18th centuries.
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a work by such an artist.
noun
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one of the great European painters of the period 1500 to 1800
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a painting by one of these
Etymology
Origin of old master
First recorded in 1945–50
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.
Brown partnered with Slater, who was as good as his word, improving on the Arkwright model and turning out yarn that his old master in Derbyshire—to whom Slater sent a sample—labeled excellent.
From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026
Now that it’s an auction house, the public can walk in free and view a regularly revolving slate of offerings, from rare books to old master paintings to dinosaur skeletons, depending on the sale calendar.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025
"A glorious painting by an old master would be too striking," she said.
From BBC • May 7, 2025
The couple also showcased their collection of old master paintings, Han dynasty Chinese ceramics and work by van Gogh and Rodin.
From New York Times • Feb. 28, 2024
It was Doc Thompson, her old master, cigar in his mouth.
From "Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad" by Ann Petry
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.
