magnum opus

noun

mag·​num opus ˈmag-nəm-ˈō-pəs 

: a great work

especially : the greatest achievement of an artist or writer

Did you know?

You may recognize magnum (meaning "great") as a Latin word that shows up in altered forms in several English words, and perhaps you can also come up with a few words that are related to opus ("work"). Magnitude, magnanimous, opulent, and operate are some obvious relations of the two. Magnum opus, which entered English in the 18th century, retains the original Latin spelling and the literal meaning "great work." Although the term most often refers to literary, musical, or artistic productions, it has been used to describe many kinds of great works, including games, construction projects, and even surgical techniques.

Synonyms

• chef d'oeuvre
• classic
• masterpiece
• masterwork

Examples of magnum opus in a Sentence

His last novel was his magnum opus.

this symphony is usually considered Beethoven's magnum opus

Recent Examples on the Web

One Hundred Years of Solitude, the Colombian literary giant Gabriel García Márquez’s 1967 magnum opus, presents different problems. —Judy Berman, TIME, 2 Dec. 2024

Aided by a nifty mixture of hip-hop/R&B samples and an all-star roster of songwriters and producers, Unapologetic, for many, remains Riri’s magnum opus. —Kyle Denis, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2024

But one of the more bizarre things that came in the wake of St. Elmo's Fire, the Brat Pack era's 1985 magnum opus? —Elizabeth Leonard, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024

Explore Danger Mouse Michael Kiwanuka Sault See latest videos, charts and news Kiwanuka was, by design, the singer-songwriter’s magnum opus. —Thomas Smith, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

magnum opus

noun

mag·​num opus ˌmag-nə-ˈmō-pəs 

: a great work and especially the greatest achievement of an artist or writer