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

Both have shown musical chops in their respective oeuvres. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 18 Dec. 2025

The Netflix Christmas oeuvre expanded in 2019 with this charming teen ensemble rom-com, a relatively understated entry in the streamer's catalog (compared to, say, the very sparkly musical Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square). —Mary Sollosi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025

But rather than embrace Chalamet’s ping pong ball orange method dressing, Paltrow is looking back at her own sartorial oeuvre in Calvin Klein Collection. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 15 Dec. 2025

In 1986, inspired by the work of American photographers Joel Meyrowitz, Wiliam Eggleston, and Stephen Shore, Parr published the book that would bring him international acclaim and that today remains a touchstone of his oeuvre. —News Desk, Artforum, 15 Dec. 2025

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