masterpiece

noun

mas·​ter·​piece ˈma-stər-ˌpēs 

1

: a work done with extraordinary skill

especially : a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement

2

: a piece of work presented to a medieval guild as evidence of qualification for the rank of master

Synonyms of masterpiece

• classic
• masterwork

Examples of masterpiece in a Sentence

The painting was immediately recognized as a masterpiece.

Herman Melville's masterpiece was Moby-Dick.

Her study of apes is a masterpiece.

Recent Examples on the Web

After 144 years of construction, architect Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, was inaugurated this summer after the final piece of the Tower of Jesus Christ was installed in February. — Jaymi McCann, TheWeek, 3 Nov. 2026

In a Charlotte Observer article from years ago, the 28-year-old star credited much of his 100-plus-tackle, defensive-masterpiece of a 2023 season to Wash, then his position coach. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026

Is there some hidden masterpiece, some Madison Avenue Black Panther, to show for all the outlays? — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026

Dating van Gogh’s Starry Night Vincent van Gogh’s masterpiece, The Starry Night (1889), has long fascinated art lovers and scientists like. — ArsTechnica, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for masterpiece

• altarpiece
• centerpiece
• frontispiece
• mantelpiece
• pilates
• specialise
• stabilise
• syntheses
• apiece
• aris
• assise
• caprice

Kids Definition

masterpiece

noun

mas·​ter·​piece ˈmas-tər-ˌpēs 

: a work done with great skill

especially : a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement