Master and Past master

Master

Master noun - A person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field.
Usage example: a master at chess

Past master is a synonym for master in expert topic. In some cases you can use "Past master" instead a noun "Master", when it comes to topics like ability. popular alternative

Past master

Past master noun - A person with a high level of knowledge or skill in a field.
Usage example: a movie director who was widely regarded as the past master of suspense

Master is a synonym for past master in ability topic. You can use "Master" instead a noun phrase "Past master", if it concerns topics such as expert, expert in a field. popular alternative
Cite this Source
Past master and Master. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 16, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/master/past_master
Master & Past master. N.p., 2016. Web. 16 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/master/past_master>.
Past master or Master. 2016. Accessed August 16, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/master/past_master.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "master" and "past master" have occurred on timeline