Meaning & use
toastmaster
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Meanings
nouncountable
A person who introduces speakers and manages the order of speeches at a formal dinner or ceremony.
Grammar: Countable: a toastmaster, two toastmasters. Often used with the definite article when the role is specific.
Patterns
- act as toastmaster
- the toastmaster introduced someone
The toastmaster welcomed the guests and announced the first speaker.
At the awards dinner, a professional toastmaster kept the evening running on time.
She asked her uncle to be the toastmaster because he had a clear, confident voice.
nouncountabletrademark
A member of a club that helps people practice public speaking and leadership.
Grammar: Countable and often capitalized in this sense: a Toastmaster, fellow Toastmasters.
Patterns
- a Toastmaster club
- become a Toastmaster
He joined a local Toastmasters group to get better at presentations.
As a Toastmaster, she gives short speeches and receives helpful feedback.
The club invites every Toastmaster to speak at least once a month.
Word forms
| plural | toastmasters |
|---|
Common combinations
- professional toastmaster
- They hired a professional toastmaster for the charity gala.
- act as toastmaster
- My father agreed to act as toastmaster at the wedding reception.
- toastmaster introduces a speaker
- The toastmaster introduces each speaker with a short biography.
- Toastmasters club
- She practices her speeches at a Toastmasters club every Tuesday.
Synonyms and how they differ
- emcee
- Emcee is more informal and can be used for any event host, while toastmaster suggests a formal dinner or ceremony.
- master of ceremonies
- This is the full, formal phrase; it is often used in the same contexts as toastmaster but can also cover entertainment events.
- host
- Host is a general word for someone who welcomes guests; it does not emphasize announcing speakers.
Word family
- toast noun
- A speech in which people raise their glasses to honor someone.
- toastmistress noun
- A female toastmaster; now less common but still used.
Commonly confused: toastmaster or toaster?
toastmaster vs toaster
A toaster is a kitchen appliance for making bread brown and crisp; a toastmaster is a person who leads formal speeches.
Practice
At the annual charity dinner, who usually introduces the speakers and keeps the program moving?
Choose one answer.
A toastmaster is the person who introduces speakers and manages the order of speeches at a formal event. 'Toaster' is a kitchen appliance, and 'taste master' and 'toast point' are not standard English words for this role.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “toastmaster”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.