masterful

Language: en

🇺🇸 /ˈmæstɜrfəl/

📖 Definitions

  1. adjective
    Having or showing great skill, expertise, or proficiency in a particular area; done with exceptional competence.; Having or showing a strong, commanding, or domineering personality; inclined to control others.; Characteristic of a master; befitting one who has authority or superiority over others.; Exhibiting complete control or command over a situation, subject, or medium.; Archaic: Having the qualities of a master; powerful, authoritative.

🔗 Details

Word forms

Comparative: more masterful Superlative: most masterful

Collocations

masterful performancemasterful strokemasterful controlmasterful handlingmasterful touch

Derivatives

masterfullymasterfulnessmastermasterymasterly

Synonyms

skillfulexpertadeptproficientcommandingdomineering

Antonyms

ineptclumsyamateurish

Commonly confused

masterly
EN: 'Masterly' is purely positive (skillful, expert), while 'masterful' can mean skillful but also carries a negative sense of being domineering or imperious.

Spelling tips

EN: No common spelling issues, but be aware that 'masterful' and 'masterly' overlap in meaning yet differ in connotation: 'masterful' can imply forcefulness, while 'masterly' is always complimentary.

💬 Examples

  1. The pianist gave a masterful performance of Rachmaninoff's Third Concerto.

  2. Her masterful manner made it difficult for anyone to disagree with her.

  3. He spoke in a masterful tone that brooked no argument.

  4. The director's masterful handling of the complex narrative kept the audience engaged throughout.

  5. The masterful lord ruled over his lands with an iron fist.