# mastery

/ˈmæstɝi/ (US) · /mˈɑːstəɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mastery
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. control or power

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

control or power over a person, a group, or a situation.

For teachers: the power to control or command; dominion or superiority over others.

- The army struggled to gain mastery over the rebel forces.
- The empire's mastery over the trade routes ensured its economic dominance for several centuries.

### 3. victory

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

winning a struggle or a competition.

For teachers: superiority or victory in a contest, competition, or struggle.

- The team finally achieved mastery over their rivals in the final game.
- After a long and bitter conflict, the king finally established mastery over the warring factions within his court.

## Examples

- She showed complete mastery of the piano.
- The chef's mastery of French cuisine is evident in every dish he prepares for the restaurant.
- 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.

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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.