masterpiece
English · Thesaurus
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masterpiece
- /ˈmæstɚˌpis/ US
- /ˈmɑːstəˌpiːs/ UK
Where it comes from
From master + piece, a calque of Dutch meesterstuk or German Meisterstück (“masterpiece”). Piecewise doublet of maestropiece and masterstick. Compare also journeyman's piece.
noun masterpieces · master-piece
- A piece of work that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career. The design, when finally developed, was a slight disappointment to Monsieur Deplis, who had suspected Icarus of being a fortress taken by Wallenstein in the Thirty Years' War, but he was more than satisfied with the execution of the work, which was acclaimed by all who had the privilege of seeing it
- A work of outstanding creativity, skill or workmanship. Masterpieces are not completed, they are abandoned.
- A work created in order to qualify as a master craftsman and member of a guild.
Similar: chef d'œuvre, magnum opus, masterwork, masterpiece, pièce de résistance, work of art · Opposite: piece of junk, trash
Thesaurus
Closest in meaning: artwork, exhibit, lesson, centerpiece, realization, achievement, cornerstone, centrepiece, kingpin, gem, centre-piece, classic, jewel, masterwork, magnum opus, pinnacle
noun
Similar: chef d'œuvre, magnum opus, masterwork, masterpiece, pièce de résistance, work of art · Opposite: piece of junk, trash
Translations
Every language
noun piece of work that has been given much critical praise
| Español | obra maestra |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | 걸작 geoljak, 명작 myeongjak |
| 日本語 | 傑作 kessaku, 名作 meisaku |
| 中文 | 傑作 /杰作 jiézuò, 名作 míngzuò |
| हिन्दी | शाहकार śāhkār, शहकार śahkār, शाहपारा śāhpārā, शहपारा śahpārā |
| Português | obra-prima |
| Français | chef-d'œuvre |
| Deutsch | Meisterstück, Meisterwerk |
| Italiano | capolavoro, capodopera |
| Ελληνικά | αριστούργημα aristoúrgima |
| Română | capodoperă |
| Русский | шеде́вр šedévr |
| Tiếng Việt | kiệt tác |
| العربية | تُحْفَة tuḥfa, رَائِعَة rāʔiʕa |
| עברית | יְצִירַת מוֹפֵת yetsirát mofét |
Talk about this word "masterpiece." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/masterpiece. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. masterpiece. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/masterpiece "masterpiece." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/masterpiece.Cite this
@misc{masterpiece_2026,
title = {masterpiece},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/masterpiece},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
