masterful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "masterful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who demonstrates great skill or expertise in a particular area, often in the context of art, performance, or leadership. Example: "The artist's masterful technique captivated the audience and left them in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rubio's valiant effort to craft a message on immigration that could appeal to the deeply skeptical conservative fringe shook up what had been a masterful Jenga-like tower of mixed positions: a little Tea Party here, a little GOP careerism there.

The Guardian - Opinion

They opened the scoring with a masterful volley from Paul Pogba, but after Napoli equalised in the second half, the Bianconeri regained their lead through a Martín Cáceres goal that should have been disallowed for offside.

The Guardian - Sport

And furthermore, what role is played by princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and their masterful decoy hats?

The Guardian - Opinion

Until an enterprising publisher translates the whole series, English readers will never be able to fully engage with Zola's masterful achievement.

The Guardian - Books

It was contract negotiations rather than viewing figures that did for David Milch's masterful western drama about the citizens of an 1800s prospecting town.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A masterful second-half display from England saw them seal a 69-36 win over Trinidad & Tobago in Liverpoolon Monday, clinching a 3-0 series victory in Tracey Neville's first international commitment as head coach.

The Guardian - Sport

Back on the main stage, the new association between English National Ballet and the Wells is marked by a revival of ENB's masterful Lest We Forget programme, with war-themed work by Khan, Maliphant and Liam Scarlett (George Williamson's Firebird, which used to sit rather uncomfortably in this programme, has now sensibly been dropped).

The Guardian

It is by the Thai writer-director Apichatpong Weerasethakul, a man who is masterful at conjuring up serenely odd movie landscapes.

The Guardian - Film

A number of key elements lie behind the SNP's remarkable ascendancy since 2007, including the strategy of political triangulation (the art of stealing your opponent's ideas), the decline of the Scottish Labour party and, above all, Alex Salmond's masterful construction of an overarching story of modern Scotland.

The Guardian

As a protégé of Birt - who identified him as "a real entrepreneur, spotting talent" at GLR, then found him "a masterful strategist and very accomplished project manager" when they worked together on the BBC manifesto Extending Choice - Bannister is hardly likely to endorse Hussey and Dimbleby's comments.

The Guardian

But for a few dips – towards the end of the first set and during the second – Djokovic was masterful in all departments.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "masterful" to describe performances, creations, or strategies that demonstrate exceptional skill and control, particularly when emphasizing the artist's or strategist's command over their craft.

Common error

Avoid using "masterful" when simpler adjectives like "skilled" or "expert" would suffice. "Masterful" is most effective when highlighting exceptional command and artistry, not just basic competence.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "masterful" primarily functions to describe a noun exhibiting a very high level of skill, expertise, or control. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically sound. Examples show its application in contexts ranging from artistic performances to strategic planning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "masterful" is an adjective used to describe something or someone exhibiting exceptional skill or expertise. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and business contexts. While similar to words like "skilled" or "expert", "masterful" implies a higher degree of command and artistry. It is important to reserve this term for situations where the level of skill truly warrants such praise, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts. When employed appropriately, "masterful" effectively conveys admiration for outstanding proficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

masterly

Almost identical in meaning, but less frequently used.

highly skilled

Focuses on the level of skill possessed.

expert

Emphasizes specialized knowledge and ability.

adept

Highlights quickness and skill in performance.

consummate

Indicates a high degree of perfection and skill.

virtuoso

Suggests exceptional artistic or technical skill.

accomplished

Implies a completed skill set developed over time.

proficient

Highlights competence and capability.

deft

Focuses on skill and nimbleness, often in handling something.

outstanding

Emphasizes the exceptional quality of the skill or performance.

FAQs

How can I use "masterful" in a sentence?

"Masterful" is typically used to describe someone or something showing great skill or expertise. For example, "The conductor gave a masterful performance" or "She crafted a masterful strategy".

What are some synonyms for "masterful"?

Alternatives to "masterful" include "highly skilled", "expert", "adept", and "accomplished". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "masterful" instead of "skilled"?

"Masterful" implies a higher degree of expertise and control than "skilled". Use "masterful" when you want to emphasize exceptional command or artistry, whereas "skilled" is suitable for general competence.

Is "masterful" the same as "masterly"?

While "masterful" and "masterly" are very similar and often interchangeable, "masterful" is more commonly used in modern English. Both describe something done with the skill of a master.