oeuvre

noun

oeu·​vre ˈu̇-vrə 

ˈər-,

ˈə-,

ˈœ- 

plural oeuvres ˈu̇-vrə 

ˈə(r)-,

ˈœ- 

: a substantial body of work constituting the lifework of a writer, an artist, or a composer

a catalogue of Rembrandt's oeuvre

scrupulously examines Dickens' oeuvre in order to demonstrate how his convictions helped to determine the shape of his novels

—G. J. Worth

Synonyms

• corpus

Examples of oeuvre in a Sentence

a novel that occupies a relatively minor position in the author's oeuvre

Recent Examples on the Web

Maya and Konstantin approach collecting as patrons, conducting extensive research into an artist’s oeuvre and acquiring all the topical books possible along the way. —Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 27 June 2024

That Ridley Scott was at the helm of this feminist masterpiece still surprises some — or at least those not totally familiar with the filmmaker’s wide oeuvre. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 15 June 2024

Largely, the Brat Pack is considered to be performers who, like McCarthy, appear in St. Elmo’s Fire or the larger Hughes oeuvre. —Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2024

Along with his brother Robert B. Sherman, who died in 2012 at age 86, Richard Sherman penned some of the most beloved songs in Disney’s soundtrack oeuvre. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 26 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, literally, "work," going back to Old French ovre, going back to Latin opera "activity, effort, attention, work," collective derivative from oper-, opus "work, effort, product of labor" — more at opus

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above