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Definition of master noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

master

noun
 
 
/ˈmɑːstə(r)/
 
/ˈmæstər/
Idioms
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    of servants

  1.  
     (especially in the past) a man who has people working for him, often as servants in his home
    • They lived in fear of their master.
    • Their relationship was one of master and servant.
    Extra Examples
    • The visitor asked to see the master of the house.
    • Their survival depended on obeying their master.
    • corrupt people who would serve any master
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • political
    • colonial
    • slave
    • …
    verb + master
    • obey
    • please
    • serve
    • …
    preposition
    • master of
    See full entry
    2.

    person in control

  2.  
     a person who is in charge of an organization or group
    • The police had to obey their political masters.
    see also harbour master, question master, wardrobe master
    Extra Examples
    • The city's new masters patrol deserted streets.
    • those titans of industry, the masters of the universe
  3. master of something a person who is able to control something
    • She was no longer master of her own future.
    Extra Examples
    • Fate can be a cruel master.
    • We remain masters of our fate.
    see also puppet master
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • political
    • colonial
    • slave
    • …
    verb + master
    • obey
    • please
    • serve
    • …
    preposition
    • master of
    See full entry
    4.

    person with skill

  4. a person who shows a lot of skill at something
    • master of something a master of disguise
    • a master of her craft
    • a master of the serve-and-volley game
    • master at doing something a master at managing money
    see also grandmaster, past master
    Extra Examples
    • Chaplin, the grand master of physical comedy
    • Like most masters of her craft, Bowery wasn't appreciated in her time.
    • The fugue was out of fashion when Bach became its master.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • acknowledged
    • great
    • undisputed
    • …
    master + noun
    • builder
    • craftsman
    • painter
    • …
    preposition
    • master of
    phrases
    • be a past master at something
    • be a past master of something
    See full entry
    5.

    famous painter

  5. a famous painter who lived in the past
    • an exhibition of work by the French master, Monet
    • the great masters of Impressionism
    • This portrait is the work of an acknowledged master.
    see also old masterTopics Artc1

    6. university degree

  6. master’s
    (also master’s degree)
     a second university degree, or, in Scotland, a first university degree, such as an MA
    • He has a Master's in Business Administration.
    • She holds a master's degree in journalism.
    see also MA, MB, MBA, MSc
    Extra Examples
    • He did a Master's at Hull University.
    • She got her Master's last year.
    Topics Educationb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + Master’s
    • do
    • study for
    • take
    • …
    Master’s + noun
    • degree
    • thesis
    preposition
    • master in
    See full entry
  7. (usually Master)
     a person who has a master’s degree
    • a Master of Arts/Science
    Topics Educationc2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverb + Master’s
    • do
    • study for
    • take
    • …
    Master’s + noun
    • degree
    • thesis
    preposition
    • master in
    See full entry
    8.

    animal owner

  8. the owner of an animal, especially a dog or horse
    • The dog saved its master's life.
    • Even the animals knew their masters were excited.
    • The horses watched their masters placidly.
    compare mistress
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • political
    • colonial
    • slave
    • …
    verb + master
    • obey
    • please
    • serve
    • …
    preposition
    • master of
    See full entry
    9.

    teacher

  9. (British English, old-fashioned) a male teacher at a school, especially a private school
    • the physics master
    • He was ballet master at several dance schools.
    compare headmaster, mistress, schoolmasterTopics Educationc2

    10. captain of ship

  10. the captain of a ship that transports goods

    11. original record/tape/movie

  11. (often used as an adjective) a version of a recording from which copies are made
    • the master copy
    Topics Film and theatrec2

    12. title

  12. Master
     (old-fashioned) a title used when speaking to or about a boy who is too young to be called Mr (also used in front of the name on an envelope, etc.)
  13. Master
     (in the UK) the title of the head of some schools and university colleges
    • the Master of Wolfson College
  14. Master
     a title used for speaking to or about some religious teachers or leaders
    15. Word OriginOld English mæg(i)ster (later reinforced by Old French maistre), from Latin magister; probably related to magis ‘more’.
Idioms
be your own master/mistress
  1. to be free to make your own decisions rather than being told what to do by somebody elseTopics Preferences and decisionsc2
serve two masters
  1. (usually used in negative sentences) to support two different parties, principles, etc. at the same time
See master in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee master in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: master

Nearby words

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