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

While the massive masterpieces surely make a statement on their own, the float escorts are responsible for bringing the creation to life with a high-energy performances and positive vibes from start to finish. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 27 Nov. 2025

In its place is a lighter, brighter masterpiece by the same artist, Canadian textile designer Candice Kaye, who also glitzed up dozens of other glam eateries, including 53 at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 26 Nov. 2025

Johnson’s modernist masterpiece is celebrated for its stunning stainless-steel frame and transparent glass that showcases its structure while providing uninterrupted views of the bucolic surroundings. —Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 26 Nov. 2025

In Bentonville, visit the architectural marvel Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, home to many American art masterpieces, or tour the Clinton House Museum in Fayetteville for a look inside former president Bill Clinton’s home. —Trudy Haywood Saunders, Travel + Leisure, 26 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for masterpiece

• altarpiece
• centerpiece
• frontispiece
• mantelpiece
• pilates
• summarise
• syntheses
• apiece
• aris
• assise
• caprice
• cerise

Kids Definition

masterpiece

noun

mas·​ter·​piece ˈmas-tər-ˌpēs 

: a work done with great skill

especially : a supreme intellectual or artistic achievement