mas·ter1
/ˈmastər/
noun
noun: master; plural noun: masters
1.
historical
a man who has people working for him, especially servants or slaves.
"he acceded to his master's wishes"
synonyms:
lord, overlord, lord and master, ruler, sovereign, monarch, liege, liege lord, suzerain; More
overseer, superintendent, director, manager, controller, leader, governor, commander, padrone, captain, head, headman, boss, principal, employer, foreman;
informalchief, top dog, honcho, head honcho, Big Chief, Big Daddy;
informalgaffer, guv'nor;
informalkahuna, sachem
"he acceded to his master's wishes"
antonyms:
servant, underling
a person who has dominance or control of something.
"he was master of the situation"
dated
a male head of a household.
"the master of the house"
the owner of a dog, horse, or other domesticated animal.
synonyms:
owner, keeper
"the dog's pining for his master"
a machine or device directly controlling another.
"a master cylinder"
2.
a man in charge of an organization or group.
British
a male schoolteacher, especially at a public or prep school.
synonyms:
teacher, schoolteacher, schoolmaster, tutor, instructor, pedagogue; rarepreceptor
"the geography master"
antonyms:
pupil
the head of a college or school.
the captain of a merchant ship.
synonyms:
captain, skipper, commander
"the master of the ship"
3.
a skilled practitioner of a particular art or activity.
"I'm a master of disguise"
synonyms:
expert, adept, genius, past master, maestro, virtuoso, professional, doyen, authority, pundit, master hand, prodigy, grandmaster, champion, star; More
informalace, pro, wizard, whiz, wiz, hotshot, ninja;
informaldab hand;
informalmaven, crackerjack
"he's a master of disguise"
antonyms:
amateur, novice
a great artist, especially one belonging to the accepted canon.
"the work of the great masters is spread around the art galleries of the world"
a very strong chess or bridge player, especially one who has qualified for the title at international tournaments.
"a chess master"
(in some sports) a class for competitors over the usual age for the highest level of competition.
noun: Masters
4.
a person who holds a second or further degree from a university or other academic institution (only in titles and set expressions).
"a master's degree"
a postgraduate degree.
noun: master's
"I had a master's in computer engineering"
5.
used as a title prefixed to the name of a boy not old enough to be called “Mr.”.
"Master James Williams"
archaic
a title for a man of high rank or learning.
the title of the heir apparent of a Scottish viscount or baron.
6.
an original movie, recording, or document from which copies can be made.
"the master tape"
synonyms:
original, archetype, prototype
"you can make a copy from the master"
antonyms:
copy
adjective
adjective: master
1.
having or showing very great skill or proficiency.
"a heart-warming story from a master storyteller"
denoting a person skilled in a particular trade and able to teach others.
"a master bricklayer"
synonyms:
expert, adept, proficient, skilled, skillful, deft, dexterous, adroit, practiced, experienced, masterly, accomplished, demon, brilliant; More
informalcrack, ace, mean, wizard;
informalcrackerjack;
vulgar slangshit-hot;
archaiccompleat
"a master craftsman"
2.
main; principal.
"the apartment's master bathroom has a free-standing oval bathtub"
synonyms:
principal, main, chief, leading, prime, predominant, foremost, great, grand, most important, biggest
"the master bedroom"
verb
verb: master; 3rd person present: masters; past tense: mastered; past participle: mastered; gerund or present participle: mastering
1.
acquire complete knowledge or skill in (an accomplishment, technique, or art).
"I never mastered Latin"
synonyms:
learn, learn thoroughly, become proficient in, know inside out, know backwards, become expert in, acquire, pick up, grasp, understand; More
informalget the hang of, get clued up about, get off by heart
"it took him ages to master the technique"
2.
gain control of; overcome.
"I managed to master my fears"
synonyms:
overcome, conquer, beat, quell, quash, suppress, control, repress, restrain, overpower, triumph over, subdue, vanquish, subjugate, hegemonize, prevail over, govern, curb, check, bridle, tame, defeat, get the better of, get a grip on, get over, gain mastery over; informallick
"I managed to master my fears"
antonyms:
give way to
3.
make a master copy of (a movie or record).