master
♦♦ mas|ter /m'ɑːstər, m'æs-/ (masters mastering mastered)
1 [N-COUNT]
A servant's master is the man that he or she works for.
My master ordered me not to deliver the message except in private...
2 [N-COUNT] usu poss N
A dog's master is the man or boy who owns it.
The dog yelped excitedly when his master opened a desk drawer and produced his leash.
3 [N-COUNT] usu N of/at/in n/-ing
If you say that someone is a master of a particular activity, you mean that they are extremely skilled at it.
They appear masters in the art of making regulations work their way.
see also past master
[ADJ] ADJ n
Master is also an adjective.
...a master craftsman.
...a master criminal.
4 [N-VAR] usu N of n
If you are master of a situation, you have complete control over it.
Jackson remained calm and always master of his passions...
5 [VERB] V n, V n
If you master something, you learn how to do it properly or you succeed in understanding it completely.
Duff soon mastered the skills of radio production...
Students are expected to master a second language.
6 [VERB] V n
If you master a difficult situation, you succeed in controlling it.
When you have mastered one situation you have to go on to the next...
7 [N-COUNT]
A famous male painter of the past is often called a master.
...a portrait by the Dutch master, Vincent Van Gogh.
see also old master
8 [ADJ] ADJ n
A master copy of something such as a film or a tape recording is an original copy that can be used to produce other copies.
Keep one as a master copy for your own reference and circulate the others.
9 [N-SING]
A master's degree can be referred to as a master's.
I've a master's in economics.mas|ter bed|room (master bedrooms)
[N-COUNT]
The master bedroom in a large house is the largest bedroom.mas|ter key (master keys)
[N-COUNT]
A master key is a key which will open all the locks in a set, even though each lock has its own different key.mas|ter of cer|emo|nies (masters of ceremonies)
[N-COUNT]
At events such as formal dinners, award ceremonies, and variety shows, the master of ceremonies is the person who introduces the speakers or performers, and who announces what is going to happen next.mas|ter plan (master plans)
[N-COUNT]
A master plan is a clever plan that is intended to help someone succeed in a very difficult or important task.
...the master plan for the reform of the economy.mas|ter's de|gree (master's degrees)
also Master's degree
[N-COUNT]
A master's degree is a university degree such as an MA or an MSc which is of a higher level than a first degree and usually takes one or two years to complete.old mas|ter (old masters)
[N-COUNT]
An old master is a painting by one of the famous European painters of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. These painters can also be referred to as the Old Masters.
...his collection of old masters and modern art.
...portraits by Gainsborough, Rubens and other Old Masters.past mas|ter (past masters)
[N-COUNT] usu N at/in/of n
If you are a past master at something, you are very skilful at it because you have had a lot of experience doing it.
He was a past-master at manipulating the media for his own ends...
She is an adept rock-climber and a past master of the assault course.
= expert
1 [N-COUNT]
A servant's master is the man that he or she works for.
My master ordered me not to deliver the message except in private...
2 [N-COUNT] usu poss N
A dog's master is the man or boy who owns it.
The dog yelped excitedly when his master opened a desk drawer and produced his leash.
3 [N-COUNT] usu N of/at/in n/-ing
If you say that someone is a master of a particular activity, you mean that they are extremely skilled at it.
They appear masters in the art of making regulations work their way.
see also past master
[ADJ] ADJ n
Master is also an adjective.
...a master craftsman.
...a master criminal.
4 [N-VAR] usu N of n
If you are master of a situation, you have complete control over it.
Jackson remained calm and always master of his passions...
5 [VERB] V n, V n
If you master something, you learn how to do it properly or you succeed in understanding it completely.
Duff soon mastered the skills of radio production...
Students are expected to master a second language.
6 [VERB] V n
If you master a difficult situation, you succeed in controlling it.
When you have mastered one situation you have to go on to the next...
7 [N-COUNT]
A famous male painter of the past is often called a master.
...a portrait by the Dutch master, Vincent Van Gogh.
see also old master
8 [ADJ] ADJ n
A master copy of something such as a film or a tape recording is an original copy that can be used to produce other copies.
Keep one as a master copy for your own reference and circulate the others.
9 [N-SING]
A master's degree can be referred to as a master's.
I've a master's in economics.mas|ter bed|room (master bedrooms)
[N-COUNT]
The master bedroom in a large house is the largest bedroom.mas|ter key (master keys)
[N-COUNT]
A master key is a key which will open all the locks in a set, even though each lock has its own different key.mas|ter of cer|emo|nies (masters of ceremonies)
[N-COUNT]
At events such as formal dinners, award ceremonies, and variety shows, the master of ceremonies is the person who introduces the speakers or performers, and who announces what is going to happen next.mas|ter plan (master plans)
[N-COUNT]
A master plan is a clever plan that is intended to help someone succeed in a very difficult or important task.
...the master plan for the reform of the economy.mas|ter's de|gree (master's degrees)
also Master's degree
[N-COUNT]
A master's degree is a university degree such as an MA or an MSc which is of a higher level than a first degree and usually takes one or two years to complete.old mas|ter (old masters)
[N-COUNT]
An old master is a painting by one of the famous European painters of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. These painters can also be referred to as the Old Masters.
...his collection of old masters and modern art.
...portraits by Gainsborough, Rubens and other Old Masters.past mas|ter (past masters)
[N-COUNT] usu N at/in/of n
If you are a past master at something, you are very skilful at it because you have had a lot of experience doing it.
He was a past-master at manipulating the media for his own ends...
She is an adept rock-climber and a past master of the assault course.
= expert