master
Person with control or skill
A person who is very good at something or has power over others or things.
[someone] is a master of [something]
- She is a master of Italian cuisine.
- The master of the ship gave the order to sail.
- He became a chess master at the age of 15.
- The master craftsman trained several apprentices.
- He is a master of cooking.
- The master told the workers what to do.
- She is a chess master.
- The master teaches new students.
To gain complete skill in something
To learn something very well so you can do it easily and well.
to master [a skill or subject]
- She mastered French in just two years.
- He has mastered the art of negotiation.
- You need to master the basics before moving on.
- I want to master English.
- She mastered cooking very quickly.
- He mastered the guitar after many lessons.
Original copy used for duplication
The first or main version of something that is copied.
- The sound engineer worked on the master before making CDs.
- Keep the master file safe in case you need more copies.
- They lost the master recording in the fire.
- This is the master copy of the video.
- We keep the master file on the computer.
- The master tape is in the studio.
Male owner of people or animals (historical)
A man who owns and controls other people as slaves, or owns animals.
- The dog followed its master everywhere.
- The slave's master lived in a large house.
- In the story, the servant betrayed his cruel master.
- The dog loves its master.
- The slave had to work for his master.
- He is the master of many horses.
Postgraduate academic degree
A degree you get after you finish more study after your first university degree.
- She earned her master's in engineering last year.
- He is studying for a Master of Arts in History.
- Many jobs require at least a master's degree.
- I want to get a master's degree.
- She has a Master's in Law.
- He will finish his master's next year.
- Base: master
- Plural: masters
- Base: master
- 3rd Person Singular: masters
- Present Participle: mastering
- Past: mastered
be master of your own destiny
1Control your own life and future
To make your own choices and decide what happens in your life.
- She believes everyone should be master of their own destiny.
- After quitting his job, he felt like the master of his own destiny.
master key
1Key that opens many locks
A key that can open several different locks in a building or system.
- The janitor used the master key to open all the classrooms.
- Only security staff have access to the master key.
master of ceremonies
1Event host or announcer
The person who introduces speakers and makes sure an event runs smoothly.
- The master of ceremonies welcomed everyone to the gala.
- As master of ceremonies, she kept the show on schedule.
serve two masters
1Follow two conflicting authorities at once
To try to please two different bosses or groups at the same time, which is usually hard or impossible.
- You can't serve two masters; you have to choose one side.
- Serving two masters often leads to failure.