Master’s vs. Masters – Which is Correct?
“Master’s” or “masters” depends on meaning. Use “master’s” for one graduate degree, as in “master’s degree,” “master’s program,” or “master’s thesis.” Use “masters” for more than one master, a competition, or the verb meaning “controls” or “becomes highly skilled.” Apostrophe meaningfully signals possession, not pluralization in the degree expression. Context determines the correct form.
Master’s or Masters – Which is Correct?
Both master’s and masters are correct American English words, but they serve different grammatical purposes. Master’s is usually the possessive form used in the name of a graduate degree: a master’s degree. It can also describe something associated with one master, such as a master’s research project.
Masters is generally the plural of master, referring to two or more masters. It can also be a verb, as in She masters difficult languages quickly. In addition, the Masters is the name of a major professional golf tournament.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the apostrophe test: if you mean one master’s degree or something belonging to one master, include the apostrophe before the s: master’s. If you mean more than one master or the verb masters, leave out the apostrophe. Remember: master’s degree has one apostrophe because it refers to one degree associated with one student or one level of study.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| master’s | Possessive noun or adjective | Related to one master or one graduate degree | She earned a master’s degree in biology. |
| masters | Plural noun or verb | More than one master, or controls and becomes skilled | He masters complex software quickly. |
How to Use Master’s
Master’s is the possessive form of the singular noun master. In modern English, its most common use is in the phrase master’s degree, meaning a graduate-level academic qualification typically completed after a bachelor’s degree. It also appears in related expressions such as master’s program, master’s student, master’s thesis, and master’s coursework.
The form is appropriate in formal, academic, professional, and casual writing. In general references, write master’s degree in lowercase. Capitalize it only when it appears in an official program name or title, such as Master of Science in Chemistry.
Example 1: Maya is applying for a master’s degree in public health.
Example 2: His master’s thesis examines the effects of urban pollution.
Example 3: The university recently expanded its master’s program in engineering.
What are the different forms of Master’s?
Master’s is the singular possessive form of master. The apostrophe comes before the s because the noun is singular: the master’s workshop. When referring to something belonging to multiple masters, use the plural possessive form masters’, with the apostrophe after the s: the masters’ techniques.
In the academic phrase master’s degree, the possessive form is conventionally used even though the degree is awarded to a student. The phrase historically means a degree associated with the level or status of a master.
Etymology of the word Master’s
Master comes from the Old English mægester, influenced by the Latin magister, meaning “chief,” “teacher,” or “leader.” The possessive form master’s developed through standard English apostrophe usage to indicate association or ownership. The academic sense became established as universities developed advanced degrees beyond the bachelor’s level.
How to Use Masters
Masters has two principal uses. First, it is the plural of master, referring to multiple teachers, experts, owners, leaders, or highly skilled individuals. For example, the masters of Renaissance painting refers to several prominent painters.
Second, masters is the third-person singular present form of the verb master. It means “controls,” “learns thoroughly,” or “becomes highly skilled at.” The subject is singular, as in she masters or the athlete masters.
Example 1: The museum displayed works by the masters of modern sculpture.
Example 2: Daniel masters new programming languages with remarkable speed.
Example 3: The Masters is one of professional golf’s most prestigious tournaments.
What are the different forms of Masters?
As a plural noun, masters is the regular plural of master: one master, two masters. Its plural possessive form is masters’, as in the masters’ decisions.
As a verb, masters is the third-person singular present form of master: I master, you master, she masters. Other forms include mastered for the past tense and past participle, and mastering for the present participle or gerund.
Etymology of the word Masters
Masters combines the noun master with the regular plural ending -s, or the verb master with the third-person singular ending -s. Master entered English from Old English and Latin roots associated with authority, knowledge, and skill. The verb later developed from the idea of gaining control or expert knowledge.
Related Concepts
Understanding possessives, plurals, and verb endings makes the distinction between master’s and masters much easier to recognize.
- Singular possessives: A singular possessive noun usually takes an apostrophe and s, as in student’s book or master’s degree.
- Regular plurals: A regular plural usually ends in -s without an apostrophe, as in students or masters.
- Plural possessives: A plural noun ending in -s generally takes an apostrophe after the final s, as in students’ projects or masters’ methods.
- Verb inflection: In the present tense, a singular third-person subject usually takes a verb ending in -s, as in she masters the technique.
Examples from Media and Literature
Both forms appear in academic, cultural, sporting, and literary contexts:
- Academic writing: University websites commonly use master’s degree, master’s program, and master’s thesis when describing graduate study.
- Literary criticism: Discussions of painters, poets, or composers may refer to “the masters” of a particular artistic movement.
- Sports news: Reports about professional golf use the Masters as the official name of the tournament.
- Historical writing: Books about medieval guilds may discuss craftsmen learning from their masters.
- Films and television: Character descriptions may say that a skilled protagonist masters a difficult craft or technique.
Master’s Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Graduate | Relating to education beyond a bachelor’s degree |
| Advanced | Higher-level or more specialized in an academic context |
| Postgraduate | Relating to study after an undergraduate degree, especially in British usage |
| Specialized | Focused on a particular field or area of expertise |
Masters Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Experts | People with exceptional knowledge or skill |
| Teachers | People who instruct or educate others |
| Leaders | People who guide, direct, or command |
| Controls | A verb meaning manages, directs, or exercises authority over something |
| Learns | A verb meaning gains complete knowledge or skill |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is it master’s degree or masters degree?
The standard form is master’s degree, with an apostrophe before the s. It is a possessive expression referring to a degree associated with one master-level qualification.
Question 2: Is masters ever correct?
Yes. Masters is correct as the plural of master, as the verb meaning “controls” or “becomes skilled,” and in the proper name the Masters, the professional golf tournament.
Question 3: Should master’s degree be capitalized?
Usually, no. Write master’s degree in lowercase in ordinary sentences. Capitalize formal degree names, such as Master of Arts or Master of Business Administration, according to the institution’s style.
Question 4: What is the difference between master’s and masters’?
Master’s is singular possessive, meaning something associated with one master. Masters’ is plural possessive, meaning something associated with two or more masters.
Conclusion
Use master’s when referring to one graduate degree or something belonging to one master. Use masters for multiple masters, the verb masters, or the golf tournament the Masters. Use masters’ for plural possession. Pro Tip: Correct apostrophe placement strengthens clarity and protects your professional reputation in applications, résumés, and academic writing.
