mastery

[mas-tuh-ree, mah-stuh-]

noun

plural

masteries 

1. command or grasp, as of a subject.

   a mastery of Italian.

2. superiority or victory.

   mastery over one's enemies.

3. the act of mastering.

4. expert skill or knowledge.

5. the state of being master; power of command or control.

mastery

/ ˈmɑːstərɪ /

noun

1. full command or understanding of a subject

2. outstanding skill; expertise

3. the power of command; control

4. victory or superiority

Other Word Forms

• nonmastery noun
• premastery noun
• remastery noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mastery¹

1175–1225; master + -y ³; replacing Middle English maistrie < Old French

Example Sentences

“It actually shows great mastery — an understanding of what a song needs to get across.”

From Los Angeles Times

Part of rebirth is the bittersweet mastery of warding off misaligned energy.

From Los Angeles Times

“Thomas has brought some of the most enduring films to life through a visionary eye and mastery of his craft,” Yang said.

From Los Angeles Times

“I think she enjoys the cognitive challenge and the opportunity to sort of master something and then practice that mastery,” he said.

From Salon

I find that I’m less interested in Dorn’s mastery of the scents themselves than in the way she conjures them with words and decides how to pair them with real-life situations.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ability 
• comprehension 
• dexterity 
• familiarity 
• finesse 
• genius 
• grasp 
• knack 
• know-how 
• knowledge 
• proficiency 
• prowess 
• skill 
• understanding 
• virtuosity 
• wizardry