masterly

1 of 2

adjective

mas·​ter·​ly ˈma-stər-lē 

1

: suitable to or resembling that of a master

especially : indicating thorough knowledge or superior skill and power

a masterly performance

2

: having the power and skill of a master

… she's masterly at description …

—Caroline Knapp

masterliness noun

masterly adverb

masterliness

2 of 2

noun

mas·​ter·​li·​ness

ˈmastə(r)lēnə̇s, 

-aas-, 

-ais-, 

-ȧs-, 

-lin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being masterly

Synonyms of masterly

Adjective

• virtuoso
• skillful
• masterful
• expert
• artistic

Examples of masterly in a Sentence

Adjective

She did a masterly job of organizing the conference.

a masterly performance of one of the most difficult ballets in the repertory

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The last redoubt was the masterly Structure 27. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025

The authors of this concise and masterly introduction to the topic go some way toward filling that gap. — Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2019

Here and elsewhere, the intermingling of voices and instruments is masterly. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025

The first sixty pages provide a masterly chronological overview of the Peasants’ War. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

masterly

adjective

mas·​ter·​ly ˈmas-tər-lē 

: suitable to or resembling a master especially in superior knowledge or skill

masterly adverb