masterpiece

[mas-ter-pees, mah-ster-]

noun

1. a person's greatest piece of work, as in an art.

2. anything done with masterly skill.

   a masterpiece of improvisation.

3. a consummate example of skill or excellence of any kind.

   The chef 's cake was a masterpiece.

4. a piece made by a person aspiring to the rank of master in a guild or other craft organization as a proof of competence.

masterpiece

/ ˈmɑːstəˌpiːs, ˈmɑːstəˌwɜːk /

noun

1. an outstanding work, achievement, or performance

2. the most outstanding piece of work of a creative artist, craftsman, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of masterpiece¹

1570–80; master + piece, modeled on Dutch meesterstuk, German Meisterstück

Word History and Origins

Origin of masterpiece¹

C17: compare Dutch meesterstuk, German Meisterstück, a sample of work submitted to a guild by a craftsman in order to qualify for the rank of master

Example Sentences

We are so used to associating “masterpieces” with largeness of conception that it often can shock us to discover that modest quirkiness has its own appeal.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The resulting 1978 masterpiece—sublimely detailed and marvelously strange in its presentation of unseen ridges, troughs and endless plains—reflected the newly established theories of plate tectonics and continental drift.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It’s unclear how much it cost to create that masterpiece.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It was Shelley's first book and her masterpiece.

Read more on BBC

Smith, citing issues with Apple’s process, decided to end it after the third season, which is a shame but it remains one of the streamer’s creative masterpieces.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• classic 
• gem 
• jewel 
• monument 
• treasure