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masterful
[ mas-ter-fuhl, mah-ster- ]
/ ËmĂŠs tÉr fÉl, ËmÉ stÉr- /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
OTHER WORDS FOR masterful
1 peremptory.
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words often confused with masterful
At an earlier time, both masterful and masterly had two senses: âhaving a commanding or domineering nature or mannerâ and âpossessing the skill of a master.â The earliest sense of masterly, âhaving a commanding nature,â 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 âdominating or imperiousâ: The envoy's masterful behavior irritated the citizens. Few painters have produced so many masterful (or masterly ) portraits.
OTHER WORDS FROM masterful
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH masterful
masterful , masterly (see confusables note at the current entry)Words nearby masterful
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use masterful in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for masterful
masterful
/ (ËmÉËstÉfÊl) /
adjective
having or showing mastery
fond of playing the master; imperious
masterly
Derived forms of masterful
masterfully, adverbmasterfulness, nounusage for masterful
The use of masterful to mean masterly as in a masterful performance, although common, is considered incorrect by many people
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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