past master

noun

Synonyms of past masternext
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

Synonyms

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Examples of past master in a Sentence

He's a past master at finding ways to get out of trouble. They are past masters of the art of propaganda.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There is a certainty to her sentences that sets her alongside past masters (your William Trevors, your Anton Chekhovs) and a singular beauty to her observations. — Tomi Obaro, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024 Coppola, a past master at directing actors, allows his performers – who include Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight, Aubrey Plaza, and Nathalie Emmanuel – to shamelessly ham it up. — Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of past master was in 1762

Rhymes for past master

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Browse Nearby Words

pastlessness
past master
past mistress
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Cite this Entry

“Past master.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/past%20master. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

past master

noun
1
: one who has held the office of master (as in a club or lodge)
2
: one who is expert
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