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

However, this masterpiece of art is temporarily residing in The British Museum in London, England, on a historic once-in-a-generation agreement from France while its permanent home undergoes major museum renovations. — Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

According to rumors, their long and intense time on the set of Kubrick’s final masterpiece irreparably disrupted the balance between the two, speculation fueled by a 2024 interview Kidman gave for the film's 25th anniversary. — Francesca Pellegrini, Vanity Fair, 8 Aug. 2026

Steven Spielberg’s personal masterpiece is the saga of Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), who saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish refugees in Poland during the Holocaust. — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 8 Aug. 2026

Maybe because too many of their masterpieces were dismissively shoved into storage for not having been painted by a more famous man. — Leigh Anne Miller, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 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