masterwork

noun

mas·​ter·​work ˈma-stər-ˌwərk How to pronounce masterwork (audio)
Synonyms of masterworknext

Examples of masterwork in a Sentence

his most famous novel is regarded as a masterwork of Western literature
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The attendees at the British Museum cocktail party, surrounded by masterworks of 20th-century art, couldn’t help but gush about one single gallery show on view in New York City. Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 15 May 2026 The Emiratis were paying the French $1 billion for the rights to the Louvre name, guidance on what art to buy, and loans of masterworks by Da Vinci, Matisse, and Van Gogh. Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 13 May 2026 True to her intention, Kouzeh has no tables as of yet, only the counter full of her masterworks, now numbering around 25, with a short menu of coffee and aromatic teas. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026 Made from a biodegradable plastic and available in a variety of finishes that include lacquer, bronze, and a stone-like lyme, these armless, headless pieces—which start at $850 and can exceed $5,500 for solid bronze—recall masterworks like the Aphrodite of Cyrene. Elizabeth Kiefer, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for masterwork

Word History

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of masterwork was in 1617

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Cite this Entry

“Masterwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masterwork. Accessed 19 May. 2026.

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