Word
master
Phoneticsmas·ter, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmæstɝ/
UK/mˈɑːstɐ/
Definitions
01an expert
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. someone who is extremely skilled at a particular activity or art.
n. a person who has acquired complete proficiency or superior skill in a specific craft, art, or science.
日本語:名人※
“He is a master of the piano and has played in concert halls all over the world.”
“The exhibition features works by the old masters, demonstrating the evolution of oil painting techniques over four centuries.”
02a postgraduate degree
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a university degree that you study for after you have finished your first degree.
n. a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery of a specific field.
“She decided to do a master in international law to improve her career prospects.”
“After completing her bachelor's in biology, she pursued a master in genetics to specialise in hereditary diseases.”
Synonyms
03original recording or document
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Music Technical
n. the original version of a recording or document from which copies are made.
n. the original version of a film, sound recording, or document used as a template for duplication.
Español:maestro
“The studio kept the master tapes in a fireproof room to protect the original recordings.”
“The artist fought a long legal battle to regain control over her masters from the record label.”
04ship captain
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Nautical Formal · Technical
n. the captain of a commercial ship.
n. the commander of a merchant vessel; a master mariner.
Español:capitán
“The master of the ship was responsible for the safety of all the cargo.”
“The port authority requested a meeting with the ship's master to discuss the safety violations observed during docking.”
05to learn perfectly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to learn a skill or language so well that you have no difficulty with it.
v. to acquire complete knowledge of or proficiency in a subject, technique, or art.
“It takes years of practice to truly master a foreign language.”
“She managed to master the complex software within a few weeks, much to the surprise of her colleagues.”
06main or primary
B2 · Upper Intermediate Engineering Technical
adj. the most important or main version of something that controls others.
adj. denoting a primary mechanism or original version that controls or serves as a reference for others.
“The master bedroom is the largest room in the house.”
“The technician checked the master switch to ensure the entire electrical system was safely deactivated before repairs began.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “master” in context.
Verb
01. become a master
“It takes thousands of hours of practice to become a master at playing the violin.”
verb + noun
02. serve two masters
“The politician struggled to serve two masters, trying to please both his party and his voters.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. true master
“The chef is a true master of French cuisine, blending tradition with modern techniques.”
adj + noun
04. undisputed master
“After winning his tenth tournament in a row, he was the undisputed master of the game.”
adj + noun
Noun
05. master of ceremonies
“The master of ceremonies introduced the guest speakers and kept the event running smoothly.”
noun + of + noun
06. master of suspense
“Alfred Hitchcock is widely regarded as the master of suspense in the world of cinema.”
noun + of + noun
07. master's degree
“She decided to pursue a master's degree in international relations to further her career.”
noun + noun
Usage
When referring to an academic degree, it is often capitalised (Master's) and used with a possessive 's'.
Pitfall
I have a master degree
I have a master's degree
When describing the academic qualification, the possessive form 'master's' is required.
Real-World Examples
“Four of the most important works of art by the 15th-century Renaissance master Antonello da Messina were stolen during a national holiday from a museum in the Sicilian port city of Messina.” “Antonello da Messina was a 15th Century painter born and raised on Sicily, who would go on to become one of the early Renaissance period's master painters.” Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/master
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0