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 of oeuvre

• output
• 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

There’s a stern, deliberate quality to Contra Madre that sets it apart from the parts of Alcorn’s oeuvre rooted in folk or jazz. —H.d. Angel, Pitchfork, 4 Mar. 2026

It was excluded from the Dutch master’s oeuvre in 1960 and instead attributed to his workshop, which employed painters including Jan Lievens and Salomon Koninck. —News Desk, Artforum, 3 Mar. 2026

Since Strip Law has a multi-part joke related to Boston Public, the Kelley oeuvre is surely a key part of the show’s DNA. —Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 20 Feb. 2026

He was known for his close reading, and ability to inhale the entire oeuvres of his guests. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for oeuvre

• louvre