Word
masterpiece
Phoneticsmas·ter·piece, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈmæstɝˌpis/
UK/mˈɑːstəpˌiːs/
Definitions
01greatest work
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the best and most famous piece of work created by an artist, writer, or musician.
n. the most significant or acclaimed work in a person's career, often representing the peak of their creative output.
“Many critics consider 'Pride and Prejudice' to be Jane Austen's masterpiece.”
“The director's final film was hailed as a masterpiece, synthesising decades of stylistic experimentation into a single, coherent narrative.”
Synonyms
02excellent quality
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. any work of art or craft that shows incredible skill and creativity.
n. a work of outstanding creativity, skill, or workmanship, regardless of whether it is the creator's primary achievement.
“The cake she baked for the wedding was a culinary masterpiece.”
“The restoration of the cathedral is a technical masterpiece, preserving the original stonework while subtly integrating modern structural supports.”
03guild qualification
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Archaic
n. a piece of work made by a student in the past to prove they were a master of their craft.
n. a work created by a journeyman in order to qualify as a master craftsman and gain full membership in a guild.
“The young carpenter spent months carving his masterpiece to join the local guild.”
“In the medieval guild system, the production of a masterpiece was the final hurdle for an apprentice seeking professional independence.”
Real-World Examples
“In Cori Doerrfeld’s 2018 children’s book “ The Rabbit Listened ,” a bird knocks down the building-block masterpiece that the young protagonist Taylor created.” “Chances to hear Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s choral masterpiece in concert are rare.” Etymology
From master + piece, a calque of Dutch meesterstuk or German Meisterstück (“masterpiece”). Piecewise doublet of maestropiece and masterstick. Compare also journeyman's piece.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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