| 释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024mas•ter•ful /ˈmæstɚfəl/USA pronunciation adj. - having or showing the qualities of a master;
authoritative. - done well;
showing mastery;
masterly:a masterful performance.
mas•ter•ful•ly, adv. WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024mas•ter•ful (mas′tər fəl, mä′stər-),USA pronunciation adj. - dominating;
self-willed;
imperious. - having or showing the qualities of a master;
authoritative;
powerful. - showing mastery or skill;
masterly:a masterful performance.
- 1300–50; Middle English; see master, -ful
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged peremptory.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged consummate, supreme; adept, expert, skilled, skillful, matchless.
At an earlier time, both masterful and masterly had two senses: "having a commanding or domineering nature or manner'' and "possessing the skill of a master.'' The earliest sense of masterly, "having a commanding nature,'' has been obsolete since the 18th century. Masterful continues to be used in all varieties of speech and writing in both senses, despite the protests of some who prefer that masterful be restricted to the sense "dominating or imperious'':The envoy's masterful behavior irritated the citizens.Few painters have produced so many masterful (or masterly) portraits. |