master race: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Academic, Pejorative
Quick answer
What does “master race” mean?
A belief or theory that a particular race of people is superior to all others and has a right or duty to dominate them.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A belief or theory that a particular race of people is superior to all others and has a right or duty to dominate them.
The term is used almost exclusively to refer to the Nazi ideology of Aryan supremacy. It can also be used metaphorically and ironically in modern contexts to criticize attitudes of perceived superiority in non-racial spheres (e.g., technology, culture).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both dialects use the term with the same historical reference and extreme sensitivity.
Connotations
Extremely negative, evoking the horrors of Nazism, genocide, and white supremacist ideologies in both contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse, confined to historical, political, or sociological texts, or as a highly charged pejorative. The ironic subcultural use (e.g., "PC master race") is more prevalent in online, particularly gaming, communities globally.
Grammar
How to Use “master race” in a Sentence
[The] master race (subject) + verb (dominated, sought to rule, believed)Adjective (Nazi, Aryan) + master raceVerb (promote, believe in, espouse) + the master raceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “master race” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The regime sought to **master-race** the continent through brutal subjugation. (Note: This is a highly rare, non-standard verbalisation, used only in critical academic discourse.)
American English
- Ideologues aimed to **master-race** their society through eugenics. (Same note as British.)
adjective
British English
- Their **master-race** ideology justified unspeakable crimes. (Hyphenated attributive use.)
American English
- The **master-race** doctrine was a cornerstone of fascist propaganda. (Hyphenated attributive use.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used critically in historical, political science, and sociological texts to analyze Nazi ideology. Example: 'The Nazi doctrine of the master race was central to their expansionist and genocidal policies.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in polite conversation due to its extreme offensiveness. May be encountered in discussions of history or extremism.
Technical
Used as a specific term in historiography and genocide studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “master race”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “master race”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “master race”
- Using it casually or humorously without full awareness of its profound offensiveness.
- Assuming it is an acceptable term for any kind of non-racial superiority (e.g., 'chef master race').
- Misspelling as 'master race' (two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Given its direct association with the Holocaust and mass murder, using it humorously is considered highly offensive, trivialises immense suffering, and is likely to cause deep distress.
The term was popularised and given its most infamous meaning by Nazi Germany in the 1930s-40s, translating the German concept of 'Herrenvolk'. It was used to describe the supposed biological and cultural superiority of the 'Aryan' race.
This is an ironic, subcultural term originating in gaming communities, contrasting personal computer (PC) gaming with console gaming. It appropriates the highly charged term to humorously claim superiority in a non-serious context. This usage is controversial, as many find it tasteless and offensive due to the original term's gravity.
Treat it as a historical term of extreme sensitivity. Understand its meaning and context, but avoid using it yourself unless you are engaged in formal academic or historical writing where it is precisely defined and critically examined. Err on the side of caution.
A belief or theory that a particular race of people is superior to all others and has a right or duty to dominate them.
Master race is usually formal, historical, academic, pejorative in register.
Master race: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːstə ˈreɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmæstər ˈreɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
**NOT RECOMMENDED.** Due to the term's horrific historical associations, creating a mnemonic is inappropriate and trivializes its meaning. It should be remembered for what it represents: a deadly ideology.
Conceptual Metaphor
RACE AS A HIERARCHICAL LADDER (with one race at the 'master' top). Often conceptualized as a biological or cultural disease (a 'virus' or 'cancer' of thought).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'master race' considered acceptable for use?