ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mastery

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US //ˈmæstɝi// UK //mˈɑːstəɹi// mas·tery Archaic

n. the state of being extremely skilled at something or having complete control over it.

n. comprehensive knowledge or skill in a particular subject or activity; also refers to the state of having control or dominance over something.


SIMPLE

She showed complete mastery of the piano.

CONTEXTUAL

The chef's mastery of French cuisine is evident in every dish he prepares for the restaurant.

COMPLEX

True mastery of a foreign language requires not only a vast vocabulary but also an intuitive grasp of cultural nuances and idiomatic expressions that textbooks often fail to capture.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English maistery, maistrie, mastere, mastry, from Old French maistrie, equivalent to master + -y.

Usage

Uncountable in its abstract sense; often takes the preposition 'of' followed by the subject being mastered.

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