[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/master.html) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / master [← M](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/M/) # master «master» in Mova's school dictionary: **A man who has control over people, animals or a place:…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it. ### part of speech noun (a master, masters); verb (master, masters, mastered, mastering); adjective (master) ### meaning for a pupil 1) A man who has control over people, animals or a place: «the dog obeyed its master». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m1) 2) A person who is very skilled at something: «a chess master», «a master chef». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m2) 3) (verb) To learn something until you can do it very well: «master your times tables». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m3) 4) (verb) To control a feeling: «master your fear». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m4) 5) (UK, old-fashioned) A male teacher in a school: «the maths master». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m5) 6) (adjective) Main or most important: «the master bedroom», «the master copy». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m6) 7) A university degree after the first one: «a master's degree». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m7) 8) (history) A person who owned enslaved people or employed servants. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m8) 9) (old, polite) A title for a boy: «Master Tom Smith». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#m9) ### sense in the lessons In school, «master» as a verb is common: «master the skill», «master fractions». In history, «masters» and «servants», or slaveowners called masters, are part of lessons on the past. In stories, a dog's master, a sea captain called «the Master», and «Master» as a polite title for boys appear. «Master key» opens every lock; «master plan» is the main secret plan. Phrases: «master a skill», «Master's degree», «old masters» (great painters), «master and servant». ### examples - Once you master riding a bike, you never forget. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x1) - The dog sat at its master's feet. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x2) - It took me weeks to master the seven times table. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x3) - Our new teacher is a chess master. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x4) - The caretaker has a master key that opens every room. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x5) - She tried to master her fear of heights. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x6) - The villain had a master plan to steal the crown. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x7) - The letter was addressed to «Master James Brown». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x8) - In old schools the boys called their teachers «sir» or «master». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x9) - The museum has paintings by the old masters. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x10) - "Master, I obey," said the genie. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/#x11) ### note Regular verb: mastered, mastering. Nouns: mastery, masterpiece. Female forms: «mistress» (old) – today «master» in skill senses is used for anyone, any gender («she's a master of disguise»). Some places now avoid «master» in computing (for example «main branch») because of its link to slavery. In maths, «master» a method means you can use it accurately every time. ### In the corpora - [LEGO Masters is a real TV show where adult teams compete at building, and some adults design sets as their job.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/arts/32-lego-builds-instructions-vs-your-own-ideas/15/) - [In Egypt Joseph refused to do wrong with his master Potiphar's wife; she falsely accused him and he was put in prison.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/religion-ethics/5-joseph-and-his-brothers/10/) - [The servant who buried his talent said he was afraid of his master.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/religion-ethics/15-parables-talents-sower-and-more/6/) - [And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/torah/jps/GEN.629/) - [And I said unto my master: Peradventure the woman will not follow me.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/torah/jps/GEN.660/) ### Trees and pragmatics [Every meaning and example of «master» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/master/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.