piece of work

noun phrase

Synonyms of piece of work next

: a complicated, difficult, or eccentric person

Word History

First Known Use

1713, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of piece of work was in 1713

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Piece of work.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piece%20of%20work. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Copy Citation

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Words You Always Have to Look Up

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Popular in Wordplay

piece of work

noun phrase

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on piece of work

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

meritorious