magnum opus

noun

mag·num opus ˈmag-nəm-ˈō-pəs

Synonyms of magnum opus next

: 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.

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Every era requires a defining victory and Aston Villa’s magnum opus under Unai Emery, so far anyway, came at home against Manchester City last season. —

Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024 Her magnum opus grossed $2,077,618,725 in ticket sales and was attended by 10,168,008 fans. —

Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 13 Dec. 2024 In his magnum opus, One Hundred Years of Solitude, the Colombian novelist Gabriel García Márquez turned a century-long history lesson into a mesmerizing read. —

Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024 There has never been a better or more complete release of Tarantino's Oscar-winning magnum opus that boasts a stellar ensemble led by John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson, an unforgettable cast of characters, a phenomenal soundtrack, and a razor-sharp script. —

Simon Thompson, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for magnum opus