noun
Common
masters
MAHS-tuhz
Masters (noun) means a postgraduate degree awarded after a bachelor's. Example: “She is finishing her masters in public health.”
noun
1
A postgraduate degree awarded after a bachelor's.
"She is finishing her masters in public health."
"After her masters, she took a job teaching history at a sixth-form college."
"He worked part-time while studying for his masters in computer science."
adjective
1
Relating to a competition restricted to players above a certain age or skill level.
"He still competes on the masters swimming circuit at 60."
"My dad has just entered the masters category at his local running club."
"She won a medal at the masters tennis championships for players over forty."
How to use masters
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShort for "master's degree," or describing a competition for older/experienced athletes.
Common pairings
masters degree
masters tournament
masters athlete
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She is finishing her _____ in public health.
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Frequently asked questions
What does “masters” mean?
The word “masters” means a postgraduate degree awarded after a bachelor's. In plain terms, short for "master's degree," or describing a competition for older/experienced athletes.
How do you pronounce “masters”?
“Masters” is pronounced MAHS-tuhz (/ˈmæs.tɚz/ in IPA).
How do you use “masters” in a sentence?
Here is “masters” used in a sentence: “She is finishing her masters in public health.”
What part of speech is “masters”?
Depending on how it is used, “masters” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “masters” a common word?
“Masters” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “masters” have?
“Masters” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a postgraduate degree awarded after a bachelor's.
What is the difference between "masters" and "master's"?
When referring to the postgraduate degree, the standard form is "master's" with an apostrophe, as in "a master's degree," because it originally meant the degree of a master. "Masters" without an apostrophe is the plural of master or appears in names like the Masters golf tournament. Many people write "masters degree," but "master's degree" is the correct form.
What is the difference between a "master's" and a "bachelor's" degree?
A "bachelor's" is an undergraduate degree, usually the first university qualification. A "master's" is a postgraduate degree taken after a bachelor's, offering more advanced or specialized study. A master's typically takes one to two years beyond the bachelor's.
What is the difference between a "master's" and a "doctorate"?
A "master's" is a postgraduate degree completed after a bachelor's, focused on advanced study or professional skills. A "doctorate," such as a PhD, is a higher research degree usually taken after a master's and requiring original research. The doctorate is the more advanced qualification.
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