masterpiece
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the best and most famous piece of work created by an artist, writer, or musician.
the most significant or acclaimed work in a person's career, often representing the peak of their creative output.
Simple“Many critics consider 'Pride and Prejudice' to be Jane Austen's masterpiece.”
In context“The director's final film was hailed as a masterpiece, synthesising decades of stylistic experimentation into a single, coherent narrative.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
any work of art or craft that shows incredible skill and creativity.
a work of outstanding creativity, skill, or workmanship, regardless of whether it is the creator's primary achievement.
Simple“The cake she baked for the wedding was a culinary masterpiece.”
In context“The restoration of the cathedral is a technical masterpiece, preserving the original stonework while subtly integrating modern structural supports.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
a piece of work made by a student in the past to prove they were a master of their craft.
a work created by a journeyman in order to qualify as a master craftsman and gain full membership in a guild.
Simple“The young carpenter spent months carving his masterpiece to join the local guild.”
In context“In the medieval guild system, the production of a masterpiece was the final hurdle for an apprentice seeking professional independence.”
“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.”
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.