masterful

mas·ter·ful

fond of acting the part of a master; domineering; imperious
having or showing the ability of a master; expert; skillful; masterly: usage objected to by some

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"masterful." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 July 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/masterful>.

APA Style

masterful. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/masterful

masterful

adjective

Acting or capable of acting as a master or leader, especially in being domineering or imperious: “Do you agree with me that I have a right to be a little masterful, abrupt; perhaps exacting, sometimes” ( Charlotte Brontë )
Having or showing mastery or skill; expert: a masterful technique; masterful at filmmaking.

Related Forms:

mas′ter·ful·ly
adverb

mas′ter·ful·ness
noun

Usage Note: According to a widely repeated dictum, masterful should be reserved for the sense “imperious, domineering” (as in a masterful tone of voice ), whereas masterly should be the choice when the intended sense is “having the skill of a master” (as in a masterly performance of the sonata ). But in practice writers have been less heedful, and today masterful is well attested with the meaning “finely skilled.” In fact, the word masterful is far more likely to occur before words like performance and ability than masterly is.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"masterful." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 July 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/masterful>.

APA Style

masterful. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/masterful

Adjective

(comparative more masterful, superlative most masterful)

Of or pertaining to the manner of a master of an art, technique, profession, or craft; masterly.
The brushwork on the skin tones was masterful.
In the manner of a master; very skillful.
The masterful conducting ensured the orchestra gave of their best.
Having or showing the qualities of a master vis-a-vis a dependent or subordinate; authoritative; domineering.

Usage notes

Historically, definition 3 of masterful (authoritative, domineering) has long been losing ground to definitions 1 and 2 (masterly, skillful). In nineteenth century US usage of masterful, definition 3 was almost always meant (10:1). In contemporary US usage, however, the situation is reversed: definitions 1 or 2 are usually meant (10:1).

Related terms