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Definition of schoolmaster

schoolmaster

/ˈskuːlˌmæs.tɚ/
school · mas · ter
Plural:schoolmasters
•
Adjective:schoolmasterly
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schoolmaster Lexical Profile

schoolmaster Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A male teacher or headmaster in a school, especially in historical or traditional British educational settings.

Example

"The strict village schoolmaster expected every student to recite their Latin conjugations without error."

2

A reef-dwelling marine snapper (Lutjanus apodus) native to the western Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, characterized by yellow fins and vertical bars on its sides.

Example

"While snorkeling along the coral reef in the Florida Keys, we spotted a small schoolmaster swimming near the sea fans."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Now largely dated in everyday usage and replaced by gender-neutral terms like "teacher" or "principal," though still used in historical contexts and traditional British private schools.

• Nearby Words

schoolkeeper
schoolkid
schoolmarm
schoolmaster
schoolmate
schoolmistress
schoolroom

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English as a compound of "school" (from Latin schola) and "master" (from Latin magister, meaning "chief" or "teacher").

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Schoolmaster. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/schoolmaster
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