masterpiece

noun

mas·​ter·​piece ˈma-stər-ˌpēs 

1

: a work done with extraordinary skill

especially : a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement

2

: a piece of work presented to a medieval guild as evidence of qualification for the rank of master

Synonyms

• chef d'oeuvre
• classic
• magnum opus
• masterwork

Examples of masterpiece in a Sentence

The painting was immediately recognized as a masterpiece.

Herman Melville's masterpiece was Moby-Dick.

Her study of apes is a masterpiece.

Recent Examples on the Web

His shows were theatrical masterpieces, and Luther was involved in every detail of their production: his vocals, his background singers’ harmonies, their choreography and even his background singers’ gowns! —Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 1 Nov. 2024

The masterpiece shoots from No. 22 to No. 20 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums ranking this time around. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Disproving the stereotype that Canadians are inherently mild-mannered people, David Cronenberg's 1983 body-horror masterpiece Videodrome blends pain with pleasure, violence with entertainment, and human consciousness with pixelated transmissions from a nightmare realm. —Katie Rife, EW.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Here, the legendary choreographer discusses restaging his AIDS-era masterpiece and the privilege of dreaming. —Michael Cuby, Them, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

masterpiece

noun

mas·​ter·​piece ˈmas-tər-ˌpēs 

: a work done with great skill

especially : a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement