How to pronounce master
Say it like MAS-ter. Master has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAS).
- MAS
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Master pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MASSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of master
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: MAH-stuh.
What does master mean?
- an artist of consummate skill“a master of the violin”“one of the old masters”
- a person who has general authority over others
- a combatant who is able to defeat rivals
- be or become completely proficient or skilled in“She mastered Japanese in less than two years”
- get on top of; deal with successfully“He overcame his shyness”
- have dominance or the power to defeat over“Her pain completely mastered her”“The methods can master the problems”
- most important element“the chief aim of living”“the main doors were of solid glass”
Where does master come from?
From Middle English maister, mayster, meister (noun) and maistren (verb), from Old English mǣster, mæġster, mæġester, mæġister, magister (“master”), from Latin magister (“chief, teacher, leader”), from Old Latin magester, from Proto-Indo-Eu
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with master
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of master.
Questions about saying master
How do you pronounce master?
Say MAS-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈmæstɚ/. In British English it is /ˈmɑːstə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in master?
Master has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAS). Broken into parts: MAS · ter.
Is master pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈmɑːstə/ (MAH-stuh).