masterly command
- noun
- Formal
- He gave a lecture with masterly command, addressing every question with ease.
Examples
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Her masterly command of several languages impressed the international panel.
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She demonstrated a masterly command of the piano.
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The chef's masterly command of flavors elevated the entire dining experience.
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His masterly command of the subject impressed everyone.
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Her masterly command of the violin captivated the audience during the concert.
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The chef displayed a masterly command of flavors in his exquisite dishes.
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During the debate, she showed a masterly command of the topic, impressing everyone with her knowledge.
Synonyms
Ability to use or understand a subject well
Great skill in an activity like music or sport, often after practice
Very high skill in a subject or activity
A very high level of ability better than most people have
A high level of skill at doing something
Very high skill in doing something that an expert shows
A very high level of skill in a field like literature
High skill or knowledge in a specific area
Antonyms
How Skillful
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'exceptional expertise' is directly derivable from combining 'masterly' (showing exceptional skill) with 'command' (competent understanding or control). This is a straightforward compositional adjective + noun phrase following common patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Masterly command paints the image of a very skilled person giving clear orders: a master who uses command to control every part of a task. So, the phrase means great 'skill' and strong 'control' in a subject.