old master

noun

: a work of art by an established master and especially by any of the distinguished painters of the 16th, 17th, or early 18th century

also : such an artist

Examples of old master in a Sentence

Their collection of old masters will be sold at the auction.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Frick contains an impressive collection of paintings by old masters (Bellini, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Gainsborough, Goya, Whistler), as well as European sculpture, fine furniture, and decorative arts. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026

Choir singer, stellar student, sister, daughter, friend — all could describe Julie Revsin, a 25-year-old master’s candidate at the University of Pennsylvania in 1980. —Annalise Peterson, NBC news, 21 Mar. 2026

Salerno first began her investigation into the bust’s authorship while writing a historical novel about the old master. —News Desk, Artforum, 12 Mar. 2026

Don’t worry about limitations in talent, as not every painter can be an old master. —Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1684, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for old master

• bandmaster
• broadcaster
• cadastre
• disaster
• forecaster
• headmaster
• newscaster
• paymaster
• pilaster
• postmaster
• roadmaster
• schoolmaster