Meaning

  1. A piece of work that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career.
  2. A work of outstanding creativity, skill or workmanship.
  3. A work created in order to qualify as a master craftsman and member of a guild.

Synonyms

chef-d’oeuvre

chef d’oeuvre

best part

best work

good crop

representative work

famous picture

famous book

fine product

voluminous work

bulky volume

admirable performance

producing a wonderful thing

splendid work

Translations

chef-d’œuvre

obra-prima

αριστούργημα

obra mestra

chef d’œuvre

perûk

قطعة رائعة

Frequency

C1
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈmæstɚˌpis/
Etymology

From master + piece, a calque of Dutch meesterstuk or German Meisterstück (“masterpiece”). Doublet of masterstick. Compare also journeyman's piece.

Notes

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