masterwork

C2+ Topic:Art & Music

US /ˈmæstərˌwɝk/ UK /ˈmɑːstəˌwəːk/ See IPA manual

noun

Meanings

1

noun
a masterpiece; the finest work an artist or craftsman produces

The sculptor regarded that figure as the masterwork of his career.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a masterpiece; the finest... masterpiece magnumchef-d'oeuvreclassic

Word family

Related forms master masterpiece work

Etymology

A compound of master (from Old English mægester and Latin magister 'chief, teacher') and work (Old English weorc). A calque of German Meisterwerk or Dutch meesterwerk, meaning the finest work of an artist or craftsman.

magister Latin weorc Old English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Art & Music

# masterwork

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** ˈmæstərˌwɝk
**IPA (UK):** ˈmɑːstəˌwəːk

## Meanings
1. a masterpiece; the finest work an artist or craftsman produces

## Examples
- The sculptor regarded that figure as the masterwork of his career.

## Synonyms
- masterpiece
- magnum
- chef-d'oeuvre
- classic

## Related Forms
- master
- masterpiece
- work

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: magister
- Root: weorc

## Etymology
A compound of master (from Old English mægester and Latin magister 'chief, teacher') and work (Old English weorc). A calque of German Meisterwerk or Dutch meesterwerk, meaning the finest work of an artist or craftsman.

## AI Etymology
Masterwork is a compound of master (from Old English mægester and Latin magister 'chief, teacher') and work (Old English weorc). A calque of German Meisterwerk or Dutch meesterwerk, meaning the finest work of an artist or craftsman. The etymological trail includes Latin magister, Old English weorc. The same word family includes master, masterpiece, work. Its current noun use means "a masterpiece; the finest work an artist or craftsman produces".

## Topics
- Art & Music

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masterwork

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