master

[ mas-ter, mah-ster ]

/ ˈmæs tər, ˈmɑ stər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR master ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a person with the ability or power to use, control, or dispose of something: a master of six languages; to be master of one's fate.

an owner of a slave, animal, etc.

an employer of workers or servants.

the male head of a household.

a person eminently skilled in something, as an occupation, art, or science: the great masters of the Impressionist period.

a person whose teachings others accept or follow: a Zen master.

Chiefly British. a male teacher or schoolmaster.

a worker qualified to teach apprentices and to carry on a trade independently.

a title given to a bridge or chess player who has won or placed in a certain number of officially recognized tournaments.

a person holding this title.

Also called master mariner. a person who commands a merchant ship; captain.

a victor or conqueror.

a presiding officer.

an officer of the court to whom some or all of the issues in a case may be referred for the purpose of taking testimony and making a report to the court.

the Master, Jesus Christ.

a person who has been awarded a master's degree.

a boy or young man (used chiefly as a term of address).

Also called matrix. an original document, drawing, manuscript, etc., from which copies are made.

a device for controlling another device operating in a similar way.Compare slave(def 5).

Recording.

matrix(def 14).
a tape or disk from which duplicates may be made.

Also called copy negative. Photography. a film, usually a negative, used primarily for making large quantities of prints.

master of foxhounds.

Archaic. a work of art produced by a master.

adjective

being master; exercising mastery; dominant.

chief or principal: a master list.

directing or controlling: a master switch.

of or relating to a master from which copies are made: master film; master matrix; master record; master tape.

dominating or predominant: a master play.

being a master of some occupation, art, etc.; eminently skilled: a master diplomat; a master pianist.

being a master carrying on one's trade independently, rather than a worker employed by another: a master plumber.

characteristic of a master; showing mastery.

verb (used with object)

to make oneself master of; become an adept in: to master a language.

to conquer or overcome: to master one's pride.

to rule or direct as master: to master a crew.

Recording. to produce a master tape, disk, or record of: The producer recorded, mixed, and mastered the new album.

Nearby words

mastadenovirus, mastalgia, mastatrophy, mastax, mastectomy, master, master aircrew, master alloy, master bath, master bedroom, master builder

Origin of master

before 900; Middle English maistre, maister, Old English magister < Latin; akin to magnus great

SYNONYMS FOR master

1 adept, expert.

26 main, leading, primary, prime, cardinal.

31 adept, expert, skillful.

33 subdue, control.

34 govern, manage.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR master ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

mas·ter·less, adjectiveout·mas·ter, verb (used with object)sub·mas·ter, nounun·der·mas·ter, noun

un·mas·tered, adjectivewell-mas·tered, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mastering

But truth be told, I never came close to mastering the language despite my excellent grades.
Obama’s One Hand Clap With Castro|Doug McIntyre|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Macallan represents a lifestyle; the kind that represents a person set on mastering their craft.
The Restaurant, Flask, And Photography Worthy of The Macallan Whisky||December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I would say timing and mastering topography were two of them.
Napoleon Was a Dynamite Dictator|J.P. O’Malley|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The positives of meditation are many, but mastering the practice can be a challenge.
High-Tech Meditation: Swap Your Yogi for a Headset|Gregory Ferenstein|April 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Rather, he seems intent on mastering one particular but highly important element of it: empathy.
Vimeo Presents: The Top 10 Videos of 2013||December 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He heard faintly the howling of the dogs, and had a fleeting thought that in the mastering of his flesh the frost no longer bit.
The Turtles of Tasman|Jack London
"I crave thy pardon, Mistress Fawkes," he continued with a bow, mastering his surprise.
The Fifth of November|Charles S. Bentley
I had spent my days in mastering an inadequate and archaic code—why?
A Far Country, Complete|Winston Churchill
More than once she has seemed on the point of mastering the nations of the West.
The Conquest of New France|George M. Wrong
When all this is done, one of the most important tasks remains: that of mastering time in all its branches.
The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. VIII: No. 353, October 2, 1886.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for mastering (1 of 2)

master

/ (ˈmɑːstə) /

noun

the man in authority, such as the head of a household, the employer of servants, or the owner of slaves or animalsRelated adjective: magistral

a person with exceptional skill at a certain thinga master of the violin
(as modifier)a master thief

(often capital) a great artist, esp an anonymous but influential artist

a person who has complete control of a situation
an abstract thing regarded as having power or influencethey regarded fate as the master of their lives

a workman or craftsman fully qualified to practise his trade and to train others in it
(as modifier)master carpenter

an original copy, stencil, tape, etc, from which duplicates are made
(as modifier)master copy

a player of a game, esp chess or bridge, who has won a specified number of tournament games

the principal of some colleges

a highly regarded teacher or leader whose religion or philosophy is accepted by followers

a graduate holding a master's degree

the chief executive officer aboard a merchant ship

a person presiding over a function, organization, or institution

mainly British a male teacher

an officer of the Supreme Court of Judicature subordinate to a judge

the superior person or side in a contest

a machine or device that operates to control a similar one

(often capital) the heir apparent of a Scottish viscount or baron

(modifier) overall or controllingmaster plan

(modifier) designating a device or mechanism that controls othersmaster switch

(modifier) main; principalmaster bedroom

the master Southern African informal the man of the house

verb (tr)

to become thoroughly proficient into master the art of driving

to overcome; defeatto master your emotions

to rule or control as master

Derived Forms

masterdom, nounmasterhood, nounmasterless, adjectivemastership, noun

Word Origin for master

Old English magister teacher, from Latin; related to Latin magis more, to a greater extent

British Dictionary definitions for mastering (2 of 2)

Master

/ (ˈmɑːstə) /

noun

a title of address placed before the first name or surname of a boy

a respectful term of address, esp as used by disciples when addressing or referring to a religious teacher

an archaic equivalent of Mr

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

Idioms and Phrases with mastering

master

see past master.

master

noun

adjective

verb (used with object)

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Nearby words

Origin of master

SYNONYMS FOR master

Related forms

Examples from the Web for mastering

British Dictionary definitions for mastering (1 of 2)

master

noun

verb (tr)

Derived Forms

Word Origin for master

British Dictionary definitions for mastering (2 of 2)

Master

noun

Idioms and Phrases with mastering

master