English Reference
Noun

schoolmaster

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US /ˈskuɫˌmæstɝ/ UK /skˈuːlmɑːstɐ/ school·mas·ter UK spelling schoolmaster's, schoolmaster's Education

n.a male teacher in a school, especially one who is in charge of a class or a school. This word is much less common today and sounds a bit old-fashioned.

n.a male teacher or head of a school, particularly in a British or historical context. Often carries a slightly formal or archaic tone in modern usage.


SIMPLE

The schoolmaster stood at the front of the classroom.

CONTEXTUAL

In the nineteenth century, the schoolmaster was often the most respected figure in a small rural village.

COMPLEX

The novel depicts the stern schoolmaster as a figure of both fear and quiet admiration, whose rigid discipline was seen as necessary for the moral development of the students.


From Middle English skolemayster, scolemaister, scol-meister, equivalent to school + master.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Middle English skolemayster
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Occasional
Updated