master class
master class noun: a class, typically in a performing art such as music or drama, in which a teacher listens to and critiques the performance of individual students, one at a time, while the other students observe.
Noun
master class (plural master classes)
- A class, typically in a performing art such as music or drama, in which a teacher listens to and critiques the performance of individual students, one at a time, while the other students observe.
- The vocal pedagogue loves the Master Class idea. Such classes are usually conducted by the more plutocratic teachers for periods of from two to six weeks. Many of them vaguely promise to deliver a complete technique within that time.1929, Tillman Breiseth, “Arias for Angels”, in North American Review, page 95
- An action or series of actions that serve to demonstrate a person's mastery of a subject.
- A brilliant or virtuosic performance.
Forms of master class
| plural | master classes |
|---|---|
| alternative form | masterclass |
Origin of master class
From master + class. First use appears c. 1861 in the publications of John Stuart Mill.
Questions about master class
- What does master class mean?
- Master class means a class, typically in a performing art such as music or drama, in which a teacher listens to and critiques the performance of individual students, one at a time, while the other students observe.
- What part of speech is master class?
- Master class is a noun.
- What is the plural of master class?
- The plural of master class is master classes.
Words near master class in the dictionary
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: master class (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this entry: “master class.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/master_class. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.