Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

masterly

/ˈmæstɚli/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.46 in modern English

Syllables
mas-ter-ly
IPA
/ˈmæstɚli/
13
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Like a master; arbitrary; domineering, imperious.

Derogatory; Obsolete

adv

In a masterful manner; competently, masterfully.

Archaic

Example Sentences

Etymology

PIE word *méǵh₂s From Middle English maisterli, from maister (“leader, ruler; high official; official in charge of a place; person in control; employer; owner; schoolmaster, teacher; scholar, sage; holder of a master's degree; religious teacher; master craftsman; expert; magician; social superior; husband; lover; Jesus Christ; a god; male stud animal”) + -li (suffix forming adjectives). Maister is derived from Old English mæġester (“master”) and Old French maistre (“master”) (modern French maître), both from Latin magister (“teacher; master”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *méǵh₂s (“big, great”). The English word is analysable as master + -ly.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈmæstɚli/
  • British English: /ˈmɑːstəli/

Usage

Inflected Forms

more masterly (comparative) most masterly (superlative) masterlie (alternative)

Derived Forms

Phrases

Synonyms

Questions

How do you pronounce masterly?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈmæstɚli/.
What does masterly mean?
Executed in the manner of a master; showing competence and skill; masterful.
Where does masterly come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce masterly

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “masterly”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈmæstɚli/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “masterly”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “masterly” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.