past master

past master

noun

Definition of PAST MASTER

1

: one who has held the office of worshipful master in a lodge of Freemasons or of master in a guild, club, or society

2

[alteration of passed master] : one who is expert : adept

Examples of PAST MASTER

1. He's a past master at finding ways to get out of trouble.
2. They are past masters of the art of propaganda.

First Known Use of PAST MASTER

1762

Related to PAST MASTER

Synonyms: ace, adept, artist, authority, cognoscente, connoisseur, crackerjack (also crackajack), dab [chiefly British], dab hand [chiefly British], fiend, geek, guru, hand, hotshot, maestro, master, maven (also mavin), meister, expert, proficient, scholar, shark, sharp, virtuoso, whiz, wizard

Antonyms: amateur, inexpert, nonexpert

Related Words: pro, professional; consultant, hired gun, specialist; addict, aficionado (also afficionado), buff, devotee, enthusiast, fan; craftsman, journeyman; all-rounder [British], jack-of-all-trades, Renaissance man; mistress

Near Antonyms: apprentice, beginner, neophyte, novice; dabbler, dilettante; layman, nonprofessional

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Rhymes with PAST MASTER

bandmaster, brewmaster, broadcaster, bushmaster, cadastre, choirmaster, court plaster, disaster, dockmaster, drillmaster, grand master, headmaster, ironmaster, jumpmaster, linecaster, loadmaster, newscaster, old master, paymaster, piastre, pilaster, postmaster, quizmaster, remaster, ringmaster, sandblaster, schoolmaster, scoutmaster, shinplaster, shipmaster, sportscaster, spymaster, surf caster, taskmaster, toastmaster, truckmaster, webcaster, wharfmaster, whoremaster, yardmaster