Masterful vs Facile - What's the difference?
masterful | facile | Related terms |
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.
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:
* 1868-69 , Louisa May Alcott, Little Women , Chapter 38:
* 1908 , E. M. Forster, A Room with a View , Chapter 18, Lucy to Mr. Beebe about Cecil:
Easy, now especially in a disparaging sense; contemptibly easy.
* , vol.I, New York, 2001, p.243:
Effortless, fluent (of work, abilities etc.).
* 1932 , (Duff Cooper), Talleyrand , Folio Society 2010, p. 54:
* 1974 , (Graham Greene), (The Honorary Consul) , Pocket Books, New York, p.54:
* 1990 , (Peter Hopkirk), The Great Game , Folio Society 2010, p. 372:
Lazy, simplistic (especially of explanations, discussions etc.).
* 2012 , (Chris Huhne), The Guardian , 3 May 2012:
(chemistry) Of a reaction or other process, taking place readily.
Masterful is a related term of facile.
As adjectives the difference between masterful and facile
is that masterful is of or pertaining to the manner of a master of an art, technique, profession, or craft; masterly while facile is easy, now especially in a disparaging sense; contemptibly easy.masterful
English
Alternative forms
* masterfull (archaic)Adjective
(en adjective)- The masterful conducting ensured the orchestra gave of their best .
- ...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...
- When John spoke in that masterful tone, Meg always obeyed, and never regretted her docility.
- ...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 * masterfulnessfacile
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- as he that is benumbed with cold sits shaking, that might relieve himself with a little exercise or stirring, do they complain, but will not use the facile and ready means to do themselves good […].
- His facile disposition made him many friends.
- we can learn the impression that he made upon a stranger and a foreigner at this period, thanks to the facile pen of Fannu Burney.
- "Discipline," Jorge Julio Saavedra was repeating, "is more necessary to me than to other more facile writers.
- A facile and persuasive writer, he also turned out countless newspaper articles on Russian aims in Central Asia and how best these could be thwarted.
- There is a facile view that our green commitments – to tackling climate change, avoiding air and water pollution, protecting natural habitats – are an obstacle to growth. The message of the commodity markets is surely different.
- Decarboxylation of beta-keto acids is facile ...