adj

masterly

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Masterly (adj) means Done with great skill, showing the ability of an expert.

adj

Done with great skill, showing the ability of an expert.

"In 'Une page d'amour' by Emile Zola I found several townscapes painted or drawn in a masterly, masterly fashion – entirely in the sentiment of the simple passage in your letter." — Vincent van Gogh, 244 | The Hague, Thursday, 6 July 1882 | To Theo van Gogh (D) (2014)

"This is a masterly work of condensation, omitting nothing of importance and providing a most readable book that for a modest half-crown is incredibly good value." — , New Reading on Railways: Great Western. By Cecil J. Allen, Ian Allan. 2s 6d (1962)

"Her years of experience enabled her to render a masterly performance."

Bossy and controlling, like someone used to giving orders.

Easily confused with

masterful →

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Etymology

The word goes back to the Proto-Indo-European word *méǵh₂s. It comes from Middle English maisterli, from maister (“leader, ruler; high official; official in charge of a place; person in control; employer; owner; schoolmaster, teacher; scholar, sage; holder of a master's degree; religious teacher; master craftsman; expert; magician; social superior; husband; lover; Jesus Christ; a god; male stud animal”) plus -li (suffix forming adjectives). Maister in turn derives from Old English mæġester (“master”) and Old French maistre (“master”) (modern French maître), both going back to Latin magister (“teacher; master”), and ultimately to Proto-Indo-European *méǵh₂s (“big, great”). By surface analysis the English word breaks down as master + -ly.

Synonyms

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masterful virtuoso consummate

Antonyms

incompetent unskilled bungling clumsy maladroit

Related words

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Rhymes for masterly

overly miserly orderly elderly utterly eagerly Beverly Waverly fatherly motherly properly westerly

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of masterly?

"masterly" (adj) means done with great skill, showing the ability of an expert.

What is another word for masterly?

Other words for "masterly" include masterful, virtuoso, consummate.

What is the opposite of masterly?

Opposites of "masterly" include incompetent, unskilled, bungling, clumsy, maladroit.

What are the different meanings of masterly?

"masterly" has 2 main meanings: 1. Done with great skill, showing the ability of an expert; 2. Bossy and controlling, like someone used to giving orders.

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