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Mastery vs Masterful - What's the difference?

mastery | masterful |

As a noun mastery

is the position or authority of a master; dominion; command; supremacy; superiority.

As an adjective masterful is

of or pertaining to the manner of a master of an art, technique, profession, or craft; masterly.

mastery

English

(Webster 1913)

Noun

(en-noun)
  • The position or authority of a master; dominion; command; supremacy; superiority.
  • * Sir (Walter Raleigh) (ca.1554-1618)
    • If divided by mountains, they will fight for the mastery of the passages of the tops.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1892, author=(James Yoxall)
    • , chapter=5, title= The Lonely Pyramid , passage=The desert storm was riding in its strength; the travellers lay beneath the mastery of the fell simoom. Whirling wreaths and columns of burning wind, rushed around and over them.}}
  • Superiority in war or competition; victory; triumph; preeminence.
  • * (w), xxxii. 18
    • The voice of them that shout for mastery .
  • * , ix. 25.
    • Every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things.
  • * (Ben Jonson) (1572-1637)
    • O, but to have gulled him / Had been a mastery .
  • (label) Contest for superiority.
    • (Holland)
  • (label) A masterly operation; a feat.
  • * (Geoffrey Chaucer) (c.1343-1400)
    • I will do a maistrie ere I go.
  • (label) The philosopher's stone.
  • The act or process of mastering; the state of having mastered; expertise.
  • * (John Tillotson) (1630-1694)
    • He could attain to a mastery in all languages.
  • * (John Locke) (1632-1705)
    • The learning and mastery of a tongue, being unpleasant in itself, should not be cumbered with other difficulties.

    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

    Related terms

    * masterly