masterpiece

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noun mas·ter·piece \ ˈmas-tər-ˌpēs \

Definition of masterpiece

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

See masterpiece defined for English-language learners

See masterpiece defined for kids

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 of masterpiece from the Web

The time has come for a da Vinci film worthy of his many masterpieces, and DiCaprio is the modern-day Medici to get the ball rolling.

— yohana desta, HWD, "The Role Leonardo DiCaprio Was Literally Born to Play," 14 Aug. 2017
Petro said the designs can range from preschooler masterpieces to experienced crafters' works of art.

— donna vickroy, Daily Southtown, "Ordinary rocks star in mission to promote kindness," 4 Aug. 2017
Artwork includes a truly stunning portrait of Jimi Hendrix rendered in bottle caps, and a masterpiece — no joke — made of beer cans that pays tribute to the Seahawks’ 12s.

— providence cicero, The Seattle Times, "Outlier stays safely within the lines," 13 July 2017
His program effectively set the Roustom piece against masterpieces of late 18th-century Viennese classicism and the mid-20th century.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Gifted Arab-American classical musicians get forum they deserve at Grant Park," 13 July 2017
Each blank wall is a canvas awaiting a masterpiece, an empty notebook awaiting a story to unfold.

— tara massouleh, AL.com, "Meet the people beautifying Birmingham's walls with colorful murals," 10 July 2017
Several area artists will create sidewalk chalk masterpieces.

— nancy daly, Cincinnati.com, "Chalkfest offers family fun in Burlington," 2 July 2017
Her Desert Watchtower, rising out of the South Rim of the Canyon, is seen as a masterpiece.

— CBS News, "On The Trail: The "Parkitecture" of Grand Canyon National Park," 2 July 2017
In 2016, Beyoncé released her album, Lemonade, a sprawling, deeply personal masterpiece that allegedly detailed her husband Jay Z's infidelity.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "Jay Z References 'Stillborns' and Cheating on Beyoncé on His New Album '4:44'," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'masterpiece.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of masterpiece

1600

masterpiece Synonyms

Synonyms

chef d'oeuvre, classic, magnum opus, masterwork

Related Words

masterstroke, pièce de résistance, showpiece, tour de force; blockbuster, megahit, smash, success, winner; gem, jewel, prize, treasure

Near Antonyms

bomb, catastrophe, clunker, debacle (also débâcle), disaster, dud, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, loser, turkey, washout

MASTERPIECE Defined for English Language Learners

masterpiece

play

noun

Definition of masterpiece for English Language Learners

: a great book, painting, piece of music, movie, etc.; also : the best book, painting, piece of music, movie, etc., by a particular person
: something done with great skill