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master

master

37 6.1
A key that opens many different locks in a building
  • noun
  • /ˈmæstər/
translation icon : llave maestra
  • The janitor uses a master key to unlock all the doors in the building.
  • a master key

This is the guys I'm telling you, this is the master key.

Examples

  • This is the master password for all her accounts.

  • Get the master key from Carp.

  • "I hate the idea he has a master key to my place."

    Fiction book (1991)
  • "Isn't your master key supposed to open any door in the place?" Sidney asked.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • On the top floor we've got three bedrooms plus the master suite and bath...

  • The master bedroom.

  • She doesn't like the master suite.

  • I recommend that we shut everything down and reboot from the master backups.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Here's my master key.

  • Can you find the master key that opens the main entrance?

Synonyms

master key
vsmaster
4 3.4

A key that opens many different locks in a building

is the same but focuses on main locks across buildings
passkey
vsmaster
2 6.0

A key that opens every lock in a set, like all rooms in a building

is for opening several important locks rather than every lock
skeleton key
vsmaster
1 6.7

A metal tool that opens many similar locks by having most teeth cut away

is a general tool for main locks not defined by altered shape
passe-partout
vsmaster
9.9

A key that opens many locks in a building

is more limited targeting several main locks rather than every door

Idioms

master of none
  • Informal
6.5

Someone who knows a little about many things but is not an expert in any

Compounds

48 4.0

A long guide for how to develop and manage a city or campus over many years

The largest bedroom in a house, usually for the main adults who live there

puppet master
  • Offensive
9 7.9

A person who secretly controls other people and their actions

master sergeant
  • Specialized
7 6.0

A senior military rank in the Army or Marines above sergeant and below sergeant major

6 4.2

A person who welcomes guests and introduces speakers at a formal event

old master
  • Specialized
6 8.4

A great European painter from before 1800 or a painting by them

5 5.3

A class taught by an expert for advanced students, often in music or art

4 3.4

A key that opens many different locks in a building

4 9.9

A belief that one race is better and should rule others

master-at-arms
  • Specialized
3 8.4

A navy officer who keeps order and discipline on a ship

3 5.8

A person who plays chess very well, often with an official title or rating

A university degree taken after a bachelor's for study in science or related subjects

Jedi Master
  • Literature
2 7.9

A wise, highly skilled leader in the Jedi group from Star Wars, also a word for someone very skilled

master file
  • Specialized
1 4.2

The main computer record that holds original data for reference

A university degree for study in arts, humanities or social science after a first degree

1 5.3

A person who teaches formal dances like ballet and the waltz

A university degree for artists, writers and performers after a first degree

An advanced degree in religion for people training to be priests or ministers

1 6.7

A person who gets and cares for the things used in plays or films

puppet master
  • Specialized
1 7.7

The central server in a Puppet system that stores settings and tells other computers what to do

1 6.8

Person who teaches people how to sit on and control horses at a stable

dancing-master
  • Archaic
1 8.9

A person who teaches dancing for formal or social events

1 7.7

A soldier who trains new soldiers in marching and discipline

A man who directs, teaches, and rehearses dancers in a ballet company

1 4.0

The first version of a document or recording used to make copies

master cylinder
  • Specialized
1 4.6

A car part that holds brake fluid and pushes it to make the brakes work

A university degree taken after a first degree to study teaching and schools

1 9.6

A person who thinks they have total control over people or events

sailing master
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An officer on a ship who navigates and reads charts to set the course

1 6.9

A person very skilled at something after many years of practice

A person who leads and trains a choir before performances so the singers perform together

A degree you study after a first degree that teaches management and finance

A university degree you study after your first degree that teaches how to manage businesses

A university degree about government policy and running public services

A higher university degree in law taken after a first degree in law to study a special area

A university degree after a first degree that prepares you to work as a librarian

A degree you study for after university in literature

A university degree after a bachelor's that focuses on engineering research

A university degree in theology taken after a bachelor's degree

master key
  • Specialized
4.2

A secret code that lets you open many protected files or services

5.6

An advanced degree from university that lets you become an architect

A graduate degree for studying how libraries collect, organize and share information

A university degree taken after a bachelor's degree for people learning advanced teaching methods and classroom practice

The senior judge who leads the civil Court of Appeal in England and Wales

7.0

A teacher who organizes and looks after sports and games at school

A person who asks people for answers and runs a quiz show on radio or TV

A tall prickly plant with spiky leaves and round flower heads once thought to cure rattlesnake bites

A tall, prickly plant with round flowers that people once used to treat snakebites

A person who used to be the leader of a group or organization

6.7

A high Air Force rank for senior enlisted members above master sergeant and below chief master sergeant

How Universal

skeleton key
1 6.7
master
37 6.1
key
1.0

Surface Forms

master singular
masters plural

Etymology

Master comes from the Latin magister, which meant 'chief' or 'main' and is related to the English major ('greater'). So a master key is the main key that can open many different locks.