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

Each one of her novels presents a different setting and dynamic, but her oeuvre is unified by careful thought, sharp style, and an uncanny ability to make the pages want to turn. — Literary Hub, 9 Sep. 2026

The beauty of the property itself affords endless opportunities to stop and admire, and provide context for the great artist's oeuvre. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Sep. 2026

Pond and Waterfall is a wonderful, if underappreciated, work within Hammer’s oeuvre. — Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 4 Sep. 2026

As scholars now know, Capa’s early oeuvre encompassed works by both him and Taro. — Alissa Simon, Variety, 2 Sep. 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