oeuvre

American  

[œ-vr^uh] / ˈœ vrə /

noun

French.

plural

oeuvres

1. the works of a writer, painter, or the like, taken as a whole.

2. any one of the works of a writer, painter, or the like.

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oeuvre British  

/ œvrə /

noun

1. a work of art, literature, music, etc

2. the total output of a writer, painter, etc

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Usage

What does oeuvre mean? An artist’s oeuvre is their total body of work. Oeuvre can also refer to a single work of art, but it most commonly refers to the collective work of an artist over a lifetime. Oeuvre is a formal word most commonly used in the discussion of artists like painters, composers, and literary figures. Because it’s a French loanword and it’s a kind of hard to pronounce, oeuvre is sometimes considered a bit pretentious. Example: Common throughout F. Scott Fitzgerald’s oeuvre is the theme of indulgence, most evident in his standout novel The Great Gatsby.

Etymology

Origin of oeuvre

ultimately from Latin opera, plural of opus work

Explanation

The oeuvre of a writer or artist refers to all their work combined. Writing one book isn't much of an oeuvre, but writing ten could be. This is a French word often used by critics — people who comment on the work of writers, painters, musicians, and other artists. An oeuvre is the total output of an artist. Just like critics give a thumbs up or down to a single movie, they give opinions on oeuvres as well. You could say a band's current album stinks, but since they've made great music for 10 years, they still have an impressive oeuvre.

Example Sentences

It is not just Elrond’s hair that is heavy metal: Jackson’s Middle Oeuvre is about the cinematic equivalent of twenty-minute guitar solos and incredible stage shows.

From Forbes • Dec. 16, 2012

It is in error given by Morelli as in the Malcolm Collection, and curiously enough M. Georges Lafenestre repeats this error in his Vie et Oeuvre du Titien.

From The Earlier Work of Titian by Phillips, Claude

During the May meetings in Paris, there was one held on behalf of the Oeuvre des Diaconesses, one of the branches of the Institution at Kaiserswerth on the Rhine, founded by Pastor Fliedner.

From Excellent Women by Various

About eight years ago Duret's definitive biography of Manet appeared, Histoire de Edouard Manet et de Son Oeuvre.

From Promenades of an Impressionist by Huneker, James