# master

/ˈmæstɝ/ (US) · /mˈɑːstɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/master
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. an expert

noun · CEFR B2

someone who is extremely skilled at a particular activity or art.

For teachers: a person who has acquired complete proficiency or superior skill in a specific craft, art, or science.

- 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.

### 2. a postgraduate degree

noun · CEFR B2

a university degree that you study for after you have finished your first degree.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. original recording or document

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the original version of a recording or document from which copies are made.

For teachers: the original version of a film, sound recording, or document used as a template for duplication.

- 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.

### 4. ship captain

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

the captain of a commercial ship.

For teachers: the commander of a merchant vessel; a master mariner.

- 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.

### 5. to learn perfectly

verb · CEFR B2

to learn a skill or language so well that you have no difficulty with it.

For teachers: 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.

### 7. main or primary

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

the most important or main version of something that controls others.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She is a master of the violin after years of practice.
- After completing his undergraduate studies, he decided to pursue a master in international relations to improve his career prospects.
- The apprentice spent a decade observing the master at work, eventually internalising the subtle techniques that distinguished a functional piece of furniture from a true work of art.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.