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Suffix · forms nouns

-master

Names one who masters or directs something with authority: grandmaster, taskmaster, ringmaster, schoolmaster, headmaster, webmaster.

In Spanish: maestro de / jefe deLiterary

Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated June 2026

What is a -master?

-master comes from "master" (one who has mastery or authority over something) and creates compounds naming those who exercise authority or mastery in a specific domain: Education and knowledge: • schoolmaster = a male teacher in a school (formal, classical) • headmaster = the principal of a school (British English) • grandmaster = the highest rank in chess or martial arts • choirmaster = the director of a choir Authority and control: • taskmaster = one who imposes demanding work • ringmaster = the presenter who directs a circus • postmaster = the person in charge of a post office • webmaster = the person who manages a website • quartermaster = a military officer responsible for supplies

Taskmaster: exacting authority

"Taskmaster" is one of the most used -master compounds in modern English. It names someone who demands a very high level of work or performance, often inflexibly: "a strict taskmaster" = a very demanding supervisor "she is a real taskmaster" = she is very strict about work "he ran the department like a taskmaster" = he ran the department with an iron hand It carries a negative or ambivalent connotation: the exigence may be admired, but it implies that working under that person is hard. Very common in biographical profiles, memoirs, and leadership articles.

Grandmaster: from medieval warfare to chess

"Grandmaster" has two main uses: 1. In chess: the highest title awarded by FIDE (the International Chess Federation). "She became a grandmaster at age sixteen." 2. In historical orders or martial arts: the leader of a medieval military order (such as the Knights Templar) or the highest-ranking master in a martial art. In literary English, "grandmaster" is used metaphorically: "a grandmaster of political intrigue," "a grandmaster of suspense" — someone who has achieved absolute mastery of a domain.

How it is pronounced

-master/ˌmæstər/ · sounds like "master"

Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.

Examples

Base word
With -master
In a phrase
  • grandgrandmasterShe became a grandmaster in chess at the age of sixteen.
  • tasktaskmasterThe director was a strict taskmaster who demanded perfection from every actor.
  • ringringmasterThe ringmaster stepped into the spotlight and announced the next act.
  • schoolschoolmasterThe old schoolmaster had taught three generations of the same family.
  • headheadmasterThe headmaster called an assembly to address the incident.
  • webwebmasterContact the webmaster if you find a broken link.
  • choirchoirmasterThe choirmaster rehearsed the singers for months before the concert.
  • postpostmasterThe postmaster general announced reforms to the postal service.

Common mistakes

headmaster = any general boss
headmaster = the principal of a British school

"Headmaster" is specifically the head of a school in British English. In American English, the equivalent is "principal."

a grandmaster player
a grandmaster (in chess)

"Grandmaster" already implies being a top-level chess player. "Grandmaster player" is redundant in that context.

A trick to remember it

In literary and journalistic English, "taskmaster" and "grandmaster" carry strong expressive force. "A strict taskmaster" describes a demanding leader in three words. "A grandmaster of X" elevates someone to absolute mastery of their field: "a grandmaster of suspense" (Hitchcock), "a grandmaster of political strategy." Both signal sophisticated, precise vocabulary.

Practise what you learned

Exercise 1 · Form the word

Fill in: "The coach was a real ___, demanding perfection at every training session." (demanding authority figure)

Hint: Task + master: one who imposes tasks with a firm hand.

Exercise 2 · Pick the right one

"She became a grandmaster at the age of sixteen." What is a "grandmaster" here?

Exercise 3 · Form the word

Fill in: "The ___ wore a top hat and announced each act with theatrical flair." (circus director)

Hint: Ring + master: the one in command at the circus ring.

Frequently asked questions

What does the suffix -master mean in English?

The suffix -master names one who masters or directs something with authority: grandmaster, taskmaster, ringmaster, schoolmaster, headmaster, webmaster. In Spanish it usually maps to maestro de / jefe de.

How do you pronounce -master?

The ending -master is pronounced /ˌmæstər/ · sounds like "master". For example, "grandmaster".

Can you give an example of a word with -master?

"grand" becomes "grandmaster". It is a typical example of the -master suffix.

Other useful suffixes

  • -keeper

    Names the person who guards, tends, or manages something: gatekeeper, beekeeper, peacekeeper, timekeeper, shopkeeper, lighthouse keeper.

  • -maker

    Names the person who makes or creates a specific thing: peacemaker, troublemaker, filmmaker, matchmaker, policymaker, dealmaker.

  • -smith

    Names a craftsperson skilled in working a specific material or medium: blacksmith, goldsmith, silversmith, wordsmith, locksmith, gunsmith.

Learn every English suffix

-tion, -ness, -ful, -ly, -able... every ending you need to understand thousands of words at once.

View all suffixes
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