masterly

[ mas-ter-lee, mah-ster- ]

/ ˈmæs tər li, ˈmɑ stər- /

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See synonyms for: masterly / masterliness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

like or befitting a master, as in skill or art; worthy of a a master; very skillful: a masterly presentation of the budget.

adverb

in a masterly manner.

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Origin of masterly

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; see origin at master, -ly

words often confused with masterly

See masterful.

OTHER WORDS FROM masterly

mas·ter·li·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH masterly

masterful, masterly (see confusables note at masterful)

Words nearby masterly

master file, masterful, master gunnery sergeant, master hand, master key, masterly, master mason, master mechanic, mastermind, Master of Arts, master of ceremonies

How to use masterly in a sentence

His protagonist is a photographer who has fallen for a dancer, and Nelson proves masterly at writing young love, clocking the small and seemingly meaningless moments that encompass longing.
The 10 Best Fiction Books of 2021|Annabel Gutterman|December 10, 2021|Time
Signori is a masterly oil painter who builds images in the classical manner with a succession of glazes.
In the galleries: Artists pair up to create a third identity, or when 1+1 equals one.|Mark Jenkins|November 19, 2021|Washington Post
How her role became more “maternal rather than marital,” and branding Hawking an “all-powerful emperor” and “masterly puppeteer.”
The Other Side of Stephen Hawking: Strippers, Aliens, and Disturbing Abuse Claims|Marlow Stern|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ten years of sweat by Charles Graeber lead to a masterly account of a man trusted to heal who instead killed with impunity.
My Favorite Books of 2013: Jill Lepore, Adelle Waldman, James Salter & More|Lucas Wittmann|December 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST

How he did it in the year 1973 is explained by Horne in a masterly and compelling way.
Inside Kissinger's Brain|Andrew Roberts|June 15, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Then he gave his evidence in his usual masterly convincing way and I listened in admiration.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow
The latter, Mr. Adams liked much, a "masterly man" who was very strong for the most vigorous measures.
The Eve of the Revolution|Carl Becker
Modern times, we are convinced, have witnessed but few instances of such a masterly policy, combined with signal self-reliance.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Four miles before reaching Candy, we came to the river Mahavilaganga, which is spanned by a masterly bridge of one arch.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer
Or take Glinkas Night in Madrid; in what a masterly fashion the various sections of this overture are fused together!
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky

British Dictionary definitions for masterly

masterly

/ (ˈmɑːstəlɪ) /

adjective

of the skill befitting a mastera masterly performance

Derived forms of masterly

masterliness, noun

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

masterly

Origin of masterly

words often confused with masterly

OTHER WORDS FROM masterly

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH masterly

Words nearby masterly

Words related to masterly

How to use masterly in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for masterly

Derived forms of masterly