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Masterful vs Effective - What's the difference?

masterful | effective |

As adjectives the difference between masterful and effective

is that masterful is of or pertaining to the manner of a master of an art, technique, profession, or craft; masterly while effective is having the power to produce a required effect or effects.

As a noun effective is

(military) a soldier fit for duty.

masterful

English

Alternative forms

* masterfull (archaic)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to the manner of a master of an art, technique, profession, or craft; masterly.
  • :The brushwork on the skin tones was masterful .
  • In the manner of a master; very skillful.
  • The masterful conducting ensured the orchestra gave of their best .
  • Having or showing the qualities of a master vis-a-vis a dependent or subordinate; authoritative; domineering.
  • * 1847 , Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre , Chapter 14, Rochester to Jane by the fire:
  • ...do you not agree with me that I have a right to be a little masterful , abrupt; perhaps exacting, sometimes, on the grounds I stated...
  • * 1868-69 , Louisa May Alcott, Little Women , Chapter 38:
  • When John spoke in that masterful tone, Meg always obeyed, and never regretted her docility.
  • * 1908 , E. M. Forster, A Room with a View , Chapter 18, Lucy to Mr. Beebe about Cecil:
  • ...it was that he is so masterful . I found that he wouldn't let me go my own way.

    Usage notes

    Historically, definition 3 of masterful''''' (authoritative, domineering) has long been losing ground to definitions 1 and 2 (masterly, skillful). In nineteenth century US usage of '''''masterful , definition 3 was almost always meant (10:1). In contemporary US usage, however, the situation is reversed: definitions 1 or 2 are usually meant (10:1).

    Derived terms

    * masterfully * masterfulness

    effective

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having the power to produce a required effect or effects.
  • The pill is an effective method of birth control.
  • Producing a decided or decisive effect.
  • The president delivered an effective speech!
  • * Jeremy Taylor
  • Whosoever is an effective , real cause of doing his neighbour wrong, is criminal.
  • Efficient, serviceable, or operative, available for useful work.
  • How long does it take to make a bunch of civilians an effective military force?
    My effective income after taxes and child support is $500 a month.
    The effective radiated power is determined by multiplying the transmitter power output with the antenna gain.
    The effective voltage of an alternating current is 0.7 times its peak voltage.
  • Actually in effect.
  • The curfew is effective at midnight.
  • Having no negative coefficients.
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • (military) A soldier fit for duty.
  • *1876 , , Recollections of the Elkhorn Campaign :
  • *:The Army of the West reached Corinth sometime after the battle of Shiloh. We were 15,000 effectives , and brought Beauregard's effective force up to 45,000 men.
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