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Synonyms

work of art

American  

noun

  1. a piece of creative work in the arts, especially a painting or sculpture.

  2. a product that gives aesthetic pleasure and that can be judged separately from any utilitarian considerations.


work of art British  

noun

  1. a piece of fine art, such as a painting or sculpture

  2. something that may be likened to a piece of fine art, esp in beauty, intricacy, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

See Examples For:

"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

In 2023 Banksy called it his "favourite work of art in the UK", and it is was the reason he chose to hold his first exhibition in 14 years at the gallery.

From BBC Jun. 17, 2026

The court issued a default judgment and said the Stratocaster was a copyrightable work of art.

From The Wall Street Journal May 27, 2026

Only one person could have designed the outfit, at first glance utterly utilitarian, at second a work of art.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

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