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to master

to master

191 4.1
To learn something very well so you can do it easily
  • verb
  • /ˈmæstər/
translation icon : dominar
  • After three years of practice, Eliza had mastered the skill of hiding her feelings.
  • master a language
  • master skills
  • master the basics

What are you doing to master this day today, tomorrow?

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Examples

  • I myself would begin by requiring every college student to master the rudiments of economics.

    Academic text (1991)
  • But you've got to master the skills in order to become successful.

  • And your real job in life is to figure out how do you master your field?

  • Next thing you got to do is master your story, OK?

  • What are you doing to master this day today, tomorrow?

  • Two, you have to master your money psychology.

  • I'm going to learn how to master the guitar.

  • Culture and language are inseparable; one cannot truly master a language without understanding its culture.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Your temper is very quick, but until you learn to master your rage... Your rage will become your master?

  • To truly excel in your career, you must learn how to master your craft.

Synonyms

to overcome
vsto master
429 2.9

Deal with and defeat a problem or fear

also implies full skill or control rather than only solving a problem
to get over
vsto master
340 2.8

Recover from an illness, disappointment, or other difficulty

focuses on gaining skill or control rather than simple recovery
to get the hang
vsto master
  • Informal
58 3.6

Learn to do something well after some practice

is deeper learning to reach full and lasting skill
to subdue
vsto master
37 5.5

To bring a person or thing under control, often by force

involves learning or skillful control instead of using force
to surmount
vsto master
6 6.3

To deal successfully with a difficulty like a problem or barrier

implies deeper learning and control rather than just passing an obstacle

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 Skilled

to master
191 4.1
grasp
73 3.6
to learn
1.0
to pick up
2.6

Surface Forms

master infinitive
mastered past
mastered past participle
mastering present participle
masters third person singular

Etymology

Master as a verb comes from the noun master, from Latin magister meaning 'teacher' or someone 'greater' and is related to the English major ('greater'). To master a skill is to become as skilled as a master, to gain full control or deep knowledge.