work of art
Americannoun
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a piece of creative work in the arts, especially a painting or sculpture.
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a product that gives aesthetic pleasure and that can be judged separately from any utilitarian considerations.
noun
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a piece of fine art, such as a painting or sculpture
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something that may be likened to a piece of fine art, esp in beauty, intricacy, etc
Etymology
Origin of work of art
First recorded in 1825–35
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Drawing” in “Willem de Kooning Drawing,” the title of a revelatory exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago, is not a noun denoting a single work of art.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
But it’s not ‘personal’ to analyze a film or other work of art, even negatively.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
"This is really about bringing two countries with this incredible showcase together to collaborate," Cullinan said, acknowledging the role of the tapestry as a "supreme work of art within French culture".
From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026
I sit for a slice of tarta de Santiago, almond and lemon and a work of art itself.
From Salon ● Jun. 23, 2026
The phone was more than nice—it was a work of art.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
