Masterly — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˈma-stər-lē/ mas·ter·ly

Meaning & Definition of Masterly

Masterly (adjective)

  1. suitable to or resembling that of a master; especially, indicating thorough knowledge or superior skill and power
  2. having the power and skill of a master

Masterly (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. accomplished with trained ability

    "a masterly performance of one of the most difficult ballets in the repertory"

    similar: adroit, artful, bravura, deft, delicate, dexterous, expert, masterful, practiced, skillful, virtuoso, workmanlike
    related: facile, smooth, artistic, creative, fancy, ingenious, neat, adept, clever, cunning, able, adequate, capable, competent
    opposite: amateur, amateurish, artless, rude, unprofessional, unskillful
    near: awkward, clumsy, crude, klutzy, ineffective, ineffectual, incompetent, inept

  2. having or showing exceptional knowledge, experience, or skill in a field of endeavor

    "a masterly handling of a complex topic in philosophy"

    similar: accomplished, ace, adept, compleat, complete, consummate, crack, crackerjack, educated, experienced, expert, good, great, master, masterful, practiced, professed, proficient, skilled, skillful, versed, veteran, virtuoso
    related: adroit, clever, deft, dexterous, handy, slick, sure-handed, gifted, talented, polished, refined, effective, effectual, efficient, workmanlike, able, capable, competent, employable, fit, fitted, habile, qualified, knowledgeable, schooled, taught, trained, tutored, all-around, well-rounded, long-term, old, multiskilled, multitalented
    opposite: amateur, amateurish, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, unprofessional, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful
    near: incapable, incompetent, inept, unable, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, weak, artless, crude, rude, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, talentless, ungifted, untalented, ignorant, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored, beginning, green, inexperienced, new, raw, unseasoned, untested, untried, would-be, primitive, rough, unpolished, awkward, clumsy, ham-fisted, ham-handed, heavy-handed

Masterly (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. in a skillful or expert manner

    "a masterly executed somersault"

    similar: ably, adeptly, adroitly, artfully, capably, competently, consummately, deftly, expertly, masterfully, proficiently, skillfully, well
    related: aptly, fluently, cleanly, cleverly, dexterously, neatly, nimbly, easily, facilely, handily
    opposite: amateurishly, artlessly, incapably, incompetently, inefficiently, ineptly, inexpertly, poorly, unskillfully
    near: inaptly, awkwardly, clumsily, crudely

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Masterly

The most common words with a similar meaning to Masterly:

adroit, artful, bravura, deft, delicate, dexterous, expert, masterful, practiced, skillful, virtuoso, workmanlike, accomplished, ace, adept, compleat, complete, consummate, crack, crackerjack, educated, experienced, good, great, master, professed, proficient, skilled, versed, veteran, ably, adeptly, adroitly, artfully, capably, competently, consummately, deftly, expertly, masterfully

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Masterly

Words with the opposite meaning of Masterly:

amateur, amateurish, artless, rude, unprofessional, unskillful, inexperienced, inexpert, jackleg, unseasoned, unskilled, amateurishly, artlessly, incapably, incompetently, inefficiently, ineptly, inexpertly, poorly, unskillfully

Related Words for Masterly

facile, smooth, artistic, creative, fancy, ingenious, neat, clever, cunning, able, adequate, capable, competent, handy, slick, sure-handed, gifted, talented, polished, refined, effective, effectual, efficient, employable, fit, fitted, habile, qualified, knowledgeable, schooled

Near Antonyms of Masterly

awkward, clumsy, crude, klutzy, ineffective, ineffectual, incompetent, inept, incapable, unable, unfit, unfitted, unqualified, weak, inefficient, talentless, ungifted, untalented, ignorant, unschooled, untaught, untrained, untutored, beginning, green, new, raw, untested, untried, would-be

Word Forms of Masterly

Derived words: masterliness (noun), masterly (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Masterly

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Masterly

What does "Masterly" mean?

"Masterly" means suitable to or resembling that of a master; especially, indicating thorough knowledge or superior skill and power. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: suitable to or resembling that of a master; especially, indicating thorough knowledge or superior skill and power. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Masterly"?

Other words for "Masterly" include adroit, artful, bravura, deft, delicate, dexterous, expert and masterful. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Masterly" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Masterly"?

There are 92 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Masterly". Common alternatives include adroit, artful, bravura, deft, delicate, dexterous, expert, masterful, practiced and skillful.

What is the opposite of "Masterly"?

Antonyms of "Masterly" include amateur, amateurish, artless, rude, unprofessional, unskillful, inexperienced and inexpert. Near antonyms include awkward, clumsy, crude and klutzy.

How do you use "Masterly" in a sentence?

Examples of "Masterly" in a sentence: "a masterly performance of one of the most difficult ballets in the repertory"; "a masterly handling of a complex topic in philosophy"; "a masterly executed somersault".

Is "Masterly" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Masterly" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Masterly"?

"Masterly" is pronounced /ˈma-stər-lē/ and divided into syllables as mas·ter·ly.

What is the origin of the word "Masterly"?

First known use: 15th century.