2 syllables: Mast, er. Stress on Mast.
MAS-tur
/ˈmæstɚ/
Master is pronounced MAS-tur (/ˈmæstɚ/). It has two syllables (Mast-er), with the stress on "Mast". Master (noun) denotes someone highly skilled, competent, or in control within a field, craft, or hierarchy. It can also refer to a person who supervises, directs, or instructs others in a workshop or performance. In various contexts, it signifies authority, mastery, and expert proficiency rather than mere familiarity.
nounMaster (noun) denotes someone highly skilled, competent, or in control within a field, craft, or hierarchy. It can also refer to a person who supervises, directs, or instructs others in a workshop or performance. In various contexts, it signifies authority, mastery, and expert proficiency rather than mere familiarity.
"She is a master of jazz piano and improvisation."
"The training program pairs a skilled master with apprentices."
"In martial arts, the sensei acts as the master, guiding students through techniques."
Phonetically, Master is /ˈmæstər/ in General American and /ˈmɑːstə/ in many UK varieties, with AU tending toward /ˈmæstə/. Begin with the stressed syllable /mæ/ (open front unrounded vowel, mouth wide). The second syllable uses a reduced schwa /ər/ in rhotic accents. Practice by isolating the /t/ as a clear alveolar stop, then let the final /ər/ loosen to a soft, relaxed syllabic end. Listen to native speakers and mirror the tempo: MA-stər, not ma-STER.
Two frequent errors: 1) Releasing the final /r/ too strongly in non-rhotic accents (leading to /ˈmæstər/ becoming too “r-heavy”); 2) Slurring the /t/ into a flap or a /d/ in rapid speech (sounds like /ˈmæsdər/). Correction tips: clearly enunciate the /t/ as a dental-alveolar stop, then maintain a light, quick schwa or a true /ə/ for the second syllable. In practice, over-emphasize the /æ/ in the first syllable before a relaxed /ər/ to stabilize rhythm.
In US English, /ˈmæstər/ with rhotic /r/ and a short /æ/. UK often uses /ˈmɑːstə/ (non-rhotic favorites may reduce post-vocalic /r/); AU tends toward /ˈmæstə/ with a reduced second vowel and a more centralized /ə/. Differences also appear in vowel length: American /æ/ is tenser; British /ɑː/ is longer. The /t/ is typically a crisp alveolar stop in all, though some accents may exhibit glottalization in informal speech. Practice listening to regional speakers on Pronounce or YouGlish for nuance.
The challenge lies in balancing the crisp /t/ with the following schwa, and managing the rhotic /r/ (in rhotic accents) or its omission in non-rhotic ones. The /æ/ vowel requires a tense, open jaw position, while the final /ər/ reduces quickly in fluent speech, making it easy to swallow. Additionally, some speakers lengthen the first vowel or blend /st/ into a cluster too smoothly, losing clarity. Focus on a clear /t/ release and a light, quick /ər/.
Yes: anchor the word with a strong, precise /t/—no tapping or partial release—then immediately relax into a breathable, reduced /ər/. A practical tip is to practice with a mirror: show the mouth opening for /æ/ and then tighten into a relaxed lower lip posture for /ər/. Use minimal pair practice against words like ‘mar’, ‘mass’, or ‘muster’ to lock in the distinct /æ/ vs /ʌ/ contrasts.
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Master comes from the Old French words maistre and later mestre, which themselves derive from Latin magister, meaning ‘teacher, chief, or director.’ The root mag- conveys authority or greatness, while -ister/-ister close to Latin -arius and -ster forms signifying a person associated with or performing a role. In Middle English, master broadened from a teacher or craftsman to denote the main or controlling element in a system (e.g., “master page,” “master file”). The word evolved to include the sense of someone highly skilled in a trade, as well as the owner or controller of something (e.g., a slave owner’s master). By the modern era, master achieved both professional titles (masters in craft, academia) and social status, with usage now specialized by context—from master craftsman to master’s degree. The word’s journey mirrors social structures: authority and expertise emphasized in hierarchical settings, shifting gradually toward a more respectful, non-derogatory designation in professional environments. First known uses in English date from the 14th century in legal and craft contexts, evolving through Renaissance and early modern periods as education and trades formalized. Today, master functions across domains: skill, leadership, and control, often paired with “apprentice” or “servant” in pairs reflecting historical relationships, yet commonly replaced by gender-neutral, professional terms in many contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Master" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Master"
-ter sounds
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