master

Someone who is extremely good at an activity, especially an art.

• She is a master of painting.
• The young musician studied the great masters.
• He became a master at creating tiny sculptures.

How to use it: master of something (She is a master of portrait painting.); master at doing something (He is a master at shaping wood.)

Similar words: expert, virtuoso

Opposites: beginner

Common phrases: master of something, a great master, old master, master at something

A university qualification usually earned after a first degree, or a person with this qualification.

• She has a master's degree in biology.
• He graduated as a Master of Arts.
• Does this course lead to a master's?

Common phrases: master of arts, master of science, master's degree

A person who has power over someone or something.

• He is master of his own life.
• The servants obeyed their master.
• Who is the real master here?

How to use it: master of something (She wanted to be master of her own future.)

Similar words: ruler, controller

Opposites: servant

Common phrases: master of something, own master

A person who owns an animal, or historically a person who owned enslaved people.

• The dog followed its master home.
• The horse recognized its master immediately.
• Enslaved workers were forced to obey their masters.

Similar words: owner

Common phrases: dog master, slave master, his master

Extremely good at a particular job or activity.

• He is a master carpenter.
• A master chef prepared our dinner.
• The workshop employs three master builders.

Similar words: expert, highly skilled

Opposites: unskilled

Common phrases: master craftsman, master carpenter, master chef

Showing great skill and confidence.

• It was a master performance.
• That master stroke changed the whole match.
• Critics praised her master technique.

Similar words: masterful, skillful

Opposites: clumsy

Common phrases: master performance, master stroke, master move

To learn something so well that you can do it easily and successfully.

• You can master this skill with practice.
• She mastered the basics in a week.
• Have you mastered the new software yet?

Similar words: learn, get the hang of

Common phrases: master a skill, master a language, master the basics, master a technique

To complete university study and receive a degree above a first degree.

• He mastered in chemistry.
• She plans to master in English next year.
• They mastered in education at the same college.

How to use it: master in something (She mastered in history at a local university.)

Common phrases: master in something, master in english