a person with the ability or power to use, control, or dispose of something

a master of six languages; to be master of one's fate.

an owner of a slave, animal, etc.

an employer of workers or servants.

the male head of a household.

a person eminently skilled in something, as an occupation, art, or science

the great masters of the Impressionist period.

a person whose teachings others accept or follow

a Zen master.

Chiefly British . a male teacher or schoolmaster.

a worker qualified to teach apprentices and to carry on a trade independently.

a title given to a bridge or chess player who has won or placed in a certain number of officially recognized tournaments.

a person holding this title.

a person who commands a merchant ship; captain.

a victor or conqueror.

a presiding officer.

an officer of the court to whom some or all of the issues in a case may be referred for the purpose of taking testimony and making a report to the court.

the Master, Jesus Christ.

a person who has been awarded a master's degree.

a boy or young man (used chiefly as a term of address).

Also called matrix. an original document, drawing, manuscript, etc., from which copies are made.

a device for controlling another device operating in a similar way. Compare slave ( def. 5 ) .

Recording .

matrix ( def. 13 ) .

a tape or disk from which duplicates may be made.

Also called copy negative. Photography . a film, usually a negative, used primarily for making large quantities of prints.

master of foxhounds.

Archaic . a work of art produced by a master.

being master; exercising mastery; dominant.

chief or principal

a master list.

directing or controlling

a master switch.

of or pertaining to a master from which copies are made

master film; master matrix; master record; master tape.

dominating or predominant

a master play.

being a master of some occupation, art, etc.; eminently skilled

a master diplomat; a master pianist.

being a master carrying on one's trade independently, rather than a worker employed by another

a master plumber.

characteristic of a master; showing mastery.

to make oneself master of; become an adept in

to master a language.

to conquer or overcome

to master one's pride.

to rule or direct as master

to master a crew.

Recording . to produce a master tape, disk, or record of

The producer recorded, mixed, and mastered the new album.

adjective

amateur , auxiliary , copy , duplicate , minor , subordinate

noun

servant , amateur

verb

be ignorant

adjective

ace * , adept , crack * , crackerjack * , experienced , masterly , proficient , skilled , skillful , ascendant , chief , controlling , foremost , grand , great , leading , major , original , overbearing , paramount , predominant , predominate , preponderant , prevalent , prime , principal , regnant , sovereign , supreme , crack , masterful , professional , arrogant , commanding , domineering , imperative , imperious , preemptory

noun

administrator , boss , captain , chief , chieftain , commandant , commander , commanding officer , conqueror , controller , director , employer , general , governor , guide , guru , head , head person , instructor , judge , lord , manager , matriarch , overlord , overseer , owner , patriarch , pedagogue , preceptor , principal , pro , ruler , schoolmaster/ mistress , skipper , slave driver * , spiritual leader , superintendent , supervisor , swami * , taskmaster , teacher , top dog , tutor , wheel * , ace * , adept , artist , artiste , authority , buff * , champion , connoisseur , doctor , doyen , doyenne , genius , maestro , maven , old hand * , old pro , past master , prima donna * , professional , proficient , pundit , real pro , sage , savant , scientist , shark * , victor , virtuoso , whiz * , whiz-bang , winner , wizard , headman , hierarch , leader , holder , possessor , proprietor , conquistador , ace , dab hand , archetype , father , protoplast , prototype , ascendency , command , dominion , mastery , padrone.associated word: dominicide , sahib , subjugation , sui juris , superiority

verb

acquire , beat the game , beat the system , bone up * , bury yourself in , comprehend , cram , excel in , gain mastery , get down cold , get down pat , get hold of , get the hang of , get the knack of , grasp , grind , hit the books * , learn the ropes * , megastudy , pick up , study , swamp * , understand , get , beat , best , conquer , overcome , prevail against , rout , subdue , subjugate , surmount , triumph over , vanquish , worst , domesticize , gentle , tame , break , bust , artist , boss , captain , champion , chief , commander , connoisseur , craftsman , doctor , dominate , educator , expert , guru , headman , lord , maestro , matriarch , overawe , overpower , overseer , paramount , patriarch , prevail , professional , ruler , sahib , sire , subject , swami , teacher , tutor , wizard