mastersinger: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/RareHistorical/Formal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “mastersinger” mean?
A historical term for a member of a German guild for poets and musicians, especially during the 14th–16th centuries.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical term for a member of a German guild for poets and musicians, especially during the 14th–16th centuries.
A singer or poet of exceptional skill, often within a formal competitive or guild system. In contemporary figurative use, an expert or highly proficient vocalist.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is equally rare and historically specific in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes medieval German culture, formal guilds, and Richard Wagner's opera 'Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg'.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in academic historical or musicological texts than in general discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “mastersinger” in a Sentence
[mastersinger] + of + [town/guild]The [mastersinger] + performed/competedA [mastersinger] + known for + [skill]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mastersinger” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The mastersinger tradition is fascinating.
- He studied mastersinger guild statutes.
American English
- The mastersinger tradition is fascinating.
- She wrote about mastersinger competitions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, musicological, or literary studies discussing medieval German culture.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would require a specific historical or artistic reference.
Technical
Used as a proper historical classification in music history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mastersinger”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mastersinger”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mastersinger”
- Using it as a general synonym for a 'great singer' (e.g., 'Adele is a modern mastersinger' is incorrect). Confusing 'mastersinger' with 'minnesinger' (earlier, courtly love poets).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In modern English, it is almost exclusively used to refer to the historical German Meistersinger. Using it for a contemporary singer, no matter how skilled, would be a deliberate and unusual metaphor.
A minnesinger (12th–14th century) was a knightly poet-composer of courtly love songs, belonging to the aristocracy. A mastersinger (14th–16th century) was typically a tradesman or artisan from the middle class, part of a formal guild with strict rules for composing.
The standard modern spelling is as one word: 'mastersinger'. Historically, it sometimes appears hyphenated ('master-singer') or capitalised, especially when referring directly to the German 'Meistersinger'.
In academic writing on medieval music or German literature, in programme notes for Wagner's opera 'Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg', or in historical novels set in medieval Germany.
A historical term for a member of a German guild for poets and musicians, especially during the 14th–16th centuries.
Mastersinger is usually historical/formal/literary in register.
Mastersinger: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːstəˌsɪŋə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmæstɚˌsɪŋɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this rare term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MASTER of SINGing' in a medieval GUILD.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT IS A GUILD RANK. VOCAL MASTERY IS A CRAFT.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'mastersinger' in its historical context?