Mastery — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈma-st(ə-)rē/ mas·tery

Meaning & Definition of Mastery

Mastery (noun)

  1. the authority of a master, dominion
  2. the upper hand in a contest or competition, superiority, ascendancy
  3. possession or display of great skill or technique

Mastery (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a highly developed skill in or knowledge of something

    "the exchange student returned from her year in Spain with a complete mastery of the language"

    similar: command, IQ, mastership, proficiency
    related: virtuosity, facility, hang, fluency, literacy, experience, expertise, know-how, practice, skill(s), acquaintance, familiarity, intimacy
    near: incompetence, incompetency, ignorance, illiteracy, unfamiliarity

  2. the right or means to command or control others

    "the British monarch has only token mastery over the citizens of the United Kingdom"

    similar: arm, authority, clutch, command, control, death grip, dominion, grip, hold, power, reign, rein(s), sway
    related: clout, influence, leverage, pull, voice, weight, jurisdiction, direction, management, dominance, imperium, predominance, sovereignty, supremacy, prerogative, privilege, right, eminence, importance, moment
    opposite: impotence, impotency, powerlessness
    near: helplessness, weakness

Related Entry: Self-mastery (noun)

Self-mastery is a different word from Mastery. The synonyms below are for self-mastery, not for mastery.

  1. the power to control one's actions, impulses, or emotions

    "she had remarkable self-mastery for one so young"

    similar: continence, restraint, self-command, self-containment, self-control, self-discipline, self-government, self-possession, self-restraint, will, willpower
    related: self-abnegation, self-denial, moderateness, moderation, temperance, temperateness, determination, nerve, command, control, discipline, mastery, abnegation, abstention, avoidance, eschewal, forbearance, abstinence, soberness, sobriety, aplomb, assurance, composure, confidence, coolness, equanimity, poise, self-confidence, discretion
    near: gratification, indulgence, self-indulgence, excessiveness, immoderacy, intemperance, intemperateness, overindulgence, demerit, failing, fault, feebleness, foible, frailty, shortcoming, vice, weakness, indiscipline, unconstraint, unreserve, unreservedness, unrestraint

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Mastery

The most common words with a similar meaning to Mastery:

command, IQ, mastership, proficiency, arm, authority, clutch, control, death grip, dominion, grip, hold, power, reign, rein(s), sway

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Mastery

Words with the opposite meaning of Mastery:

impotence, impotency, powerlessness

Related Words for Mastery

virtuosity, facility, hang, fluency, literacy, experience, expertise, know-how, practice, skill(s), acquaintance, familiarity, intimacy, clout, influence, leverage, pull, voice, weight, jurisdiction, direction, management, dominance, imperium, predominance, sovereignty, supremacy, prerogative, privilege, right

Near Antonyms of Mastery

incompetence, incompetency, ignorance, illiteracy, unfamiliarity, helplessness, weakness

Origin & Etymology of Mastery

Middle English maistrie, from Anglo-French mestrie, maistrie, from meistre master

First known use: 13th century

Words & Phrases Containing Mastery

self-mastery

Frequently Asked Questions about Mastery

What does "Mastery" mean?

"Mastery" means the authority of a master, dominion. As a noun, it is defined as: the authority of a master, dominion. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Mastery"?

Other words for "Mastery" include command, IQ, mastership, proficiency, arm, authority, clutch and control. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Mastery" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Mastery"?

There are 49 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Mastery". Common alternatives include command, IQ, mastership, proficiency, arm, authority, clutch, control, death grip and dominion.

What is the opposite of "Mastery"?

Antonyms of "Mastery" include impotence, impotency and powerlessness. Near antonyms include incompetence, incompetency, ignorance and illiteracy.

How do you use "Mastery" in a sentence?

Examples of "Mastery" in a sentence: "the exchange student returned from her year in Spain with a complete mastery of the language"; "the British monarch has only token mastery over the citizens of the United Kingdom".

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

"Mastery" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Mastery"?

"Mastery" is pronounced /ˈma-st(ə-)rē/ and divided into syllables as mas·tery.

What is the origin of the word "Mastery"?

"Mastery" comes from Middle English maistrie, from Anglo-French mestrie, maistrie, from meistre master. First known use: 13th century.