master
master
Pronunciation
Phonetic Spelling
The most common General American pronunciation of master is:
IPA: /ˈmæs.tɚ/
(Note: In British Received Pronunciation, it is often /ˈmɑː.stə(r)/, with an "ah" sound and a non-rhotic (silent) 'r'.)
Syllable Breakdown (General American)
Syllable 1: mas (/mæs/)
/m/: The m sound, as in "mom."
/æ/: The short a sound (ash), as in "trap" or "cat."
/s/: The s sound, as in "sit."
Syllable 2: ter (/tɚ/)
/t/: The t sound, as in "top."
/ɚ/: The r-colored schwa sound, as in "letter" or "father."
Word Form Variations
Noun (Singular): master
Noun (Plural):G masters
Noun (Possessive): master's (singular), masters' (plural)
Verb (Base): master
Verb (Third-Person Singular): masters
Verb (Present Participle): mastering
Verb (Past Tense/Participle): mastered
Adjective (Derived): masterful, masterly
Abstract Noun (Derived): mastery
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
An individual who possesses exceptional, recognized skill, knowledge, or proficiency in a specific craft, art, or field of study.
Synonyms: expert, virtuoso, maestro, professional, adept
Antonyms: novice, beginner, amateur, apprentice, layman
A person who has authority, control, or ownership over others, such as servants, employees, or animals.
Synonyms: owner, boss, controller, head, ruler, overseer
Antonyms: servant, subordinate, slave, employee
The definitive or original version of a recording, film, or document from which all copies are produced.
Synonyms: original, source, prototype, definitive copy
Antonyms: copy, duplicate, reproduction, print
A title of respect (now often archaic or formal) used for a boy not yet old enough to be called "Mister."
Synonyms: (no direct synonyms)
Antonyms: (no direct antonyms)
Verb
To gain complete command or understanding of a skill, subject, or instrument through study and practice.
Synonyms: learn, grasp, acquire, conquer, understand
Antonyms: struggle (with), flounder, fail, misunderstand
To overcome or bring something under control, such as an emotion, obstacle, or opponent.
Synonyms: subdue, control, tame, suppress, overcome
Antonyms: yield, surrender, submit (to), release
Adjective
(Often used in compound nouns) Functioning as the principal, main, or controlling element in a system.
Examples: master switch, master plan, master bedroom.
Synonyms: main, chief, primary, principal, leading
Antonyms: subordinate, secondary, auxiliary, minor
Possessing the skill or authority of an expert.
Example: a master craftsman.
Synonyms: expert, skilled, proficient, adept
Antonyms: amateur, unskilled, inept
Examples of Use
In Books and Literature
As a Noun (Control/Authority): In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, the One Ring is described as the "master-ring" capable of controlling all the others, and its creator, Sauron, is its ultimate master.
As a Noun (Skill): In Robert Greene's non-fiction book Mastery, the author analyzes the lives of historical figures to determine how they achieved the status of a master in their respective fields.
As a Noun (Title): In Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, the title character famously asks the master of the workhouse, "Please, sir, I want some more."
In Newspapers and Journalism
As an Adjective (Main/Primary): "The city commission voted to approve the new master plan for the waterfront, which outlines the next 20 years of development."
As a Noun (Skill): "The obituary celebrated the chef as a master of French cuisine, known for his groundbreaking techniques."
As a Noun (Original Copy): "In the investigation, detectives seized the master surveillance tapes from the security office to look for evidence."
In Online Publications and Technology
As a Verb (to learn): Many articles and online courses use headlines like, "How to Master Python in 5 Simple Steps" or "A Beginner's Guide to Mastering SEO."
As a Noun/Adjective (Technical Terminology): "Tech companies like GitHub have replaced the loaded term 'master' in programming with more neutral words like 'main' or 'primary' to describe the principal code repository." (Reported in outlets like Wired and The Verge)
As a Verb (to control): "In therapy, patients learn techniques to master their anxiety rather than letting it control them." (Common phrasing in psychology blogs)
In Entertainment (Music, Film, and TV)
As a Noun (Music Industry): "Taylor Swift's conflict with her former record label centered on her desire to own her masters—the original studio recordings of her first six albums." (Widely reported by Variety and Billboard)
As a Noun (TV): In the BBC science-fiction series Doctor Who, the main antagonist and rival Time Lord to the Doctor is a recurring character known simply as The Master.
As a Noun (Music Title): The 1986 album Master of Puppets by Metallica is frequently cited as a classic of the heavy metal genre.
As a Noun (Film): The 2012 film The Master, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, explores the relationship between a charismatic cult leader and a troubled young veteran.
In General Public Discourse
As an Adjective (Main): "The largest bedroom in the house, often with an attached bathroom, is commonly referred to as the 'master bedroom' in real estate listings."
As a Verb (to learn): "My son is in the garage trying to master a new trick on his skateboard."
As a Noun (Skill): "She is a master of the passive-aggressive comment; she can insult you without you realizing it until an hour later."
10 Famous Quotes Using Master
"As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master." (Abraham Lincoln)
"We are masters of the unsaid words, but slaves of those we let slip out." (Winston Churchill)
"No man is free who is not master of himself." (Epictetus)
"What worries you, masters you." (John Locke)
"Technology is a useful servant but a dangerous master." (Christian Lous Lange)
"Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master." (Leonardo da Vinci)
"A man who is a master of patience is master of everything else." (George Savile)
"It is with our passions as it is with fire and water, they are good servants, but bad masters." (Aesop)
"The ego is not master in its own house." (Sigmund Freud)
"I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master." (Desmond Tutu)
Etymology
The word master has a very direct etymology that traces back to the Latin word for "great."
Here’s a simple breakdown of its journey into English:
It all starts with the Proto-Indo-European root *meg-, which meant "great" or "large." This is the same root that gives us words like "mega," "magnify," and "much."
In Latin, this root evolved into magister. This word literally meant "chief," "head," "director," or "teacher"—essentially, a "great one" or the person in charge. It was a title of authority and high knowledge.
The word then entered Old English (the language spoken in England before 1150) as mægester (and was also later reinforced by the Old French word maistre, which came from the same Latin root).
First Use and Meaning
The word master has been part of English for over a thousand years. Its first known use in Old English carried the exact same meanings it had in Latin:
A Teacher: It was used to mean a schoolmaster or tutor, someone with great knowledge who instructs others.
A Person with Authority: It also meant someone who had control or authority over people, places, or things—like the head of a household, the captain of a ship, or the owner of an animal.
So, from its very beginning, the word master has always held a dual meaning of both authority (to be in charge) and expertise (to know something completely).
Phrases + Idioms Containing Master
Below is a list of common phrases and idioms using the word "master," supplemented by idioms with similar meanings.
Phrases and Idioms Using "Master"
Jack of all trades, master of none
A past master
Master of ceremonies (MC)
Master of the house
A master plan
Master stroke
Master copy (or master recording)
Master key
Master switch
Master class
Master of one's domain
Master of the situation
Master of your own fate (or destiny)
To master the art of (something)
Idioms with Similar Meanings (Synonyms)
Meaning "Expert" or "Adept":
An old hand (at something)
Knows it inside and out
Knows the ropes
The brains of the operation
A whiz kid
(To be) in a league of one's own
Meaning "In Control" or "Boss":
Rule the roost
Call the shots
Run the show
In the driver's seat
Top dog
Head honcho
The big cheese
Wear the pants (in a relationship)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of master from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
