masterful
Americanadjective
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dominating; self-willed; imperious.
- Synonyms:
- peremptory
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having or showing the qualities of a master; authoritative; powerful.
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showing mastery or skill; masterly.
a masterful performance.
adjective
-
having or showing mastery
-
fond of playing the master; imperious
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masterly
Usage
The use of masterful to mean masterly as in a masterful performance , although common, is considered incorrect by many people
Commonly Confused
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
Etymology
Origin of masterful
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; see origin at master, -ful
Explanation
Someone masterful is really good at a particular task or skill. A masterful pianist is accomplished and experienced — in other words, she plays extremely well. A masterful stone mason builds beautiful, sturdy walls, and a masterful math teacher is capable of teaching even students who think they hate math how to solve complex equations. An alternate way to use this word is to mean "like a master" or "controlling and powerful." In fact, this is the word's original meaning, from the Latin root word magister, "chief, head, or director."
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.
This time included periods when she focused on 2017’s “Zama,” her masterful period piece following a Spanish official in 18th century Argentina “who doesn’t want to be American,” she says, referring to the continent.
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
Having already experienced how reality TV and social media can lead to global success, Cameron noted that Serhant’s masterful use of both mediums was another huge draw to his company.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026
But beyond the basic genius of it and Pelosi’s masterful performance, what made her protest so effective was that it was distilled and digestible for the audience at home.
From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026
Warsh is masterful at managing internal politics and reading people.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026
I keep on sewing, keep on being masterful.
From "Betty Before X" by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson
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.
