masterpiece
masterpiece — noun
1. a painting, book, film, or other work of art that is created with extraordinary
a painting, book, film, or other work of art that is created with extraordinary skill and is widely considered among the best of its kind.
Hari spent nearly three years carefully painting his masterpiece on a large canvas.
The museum's new exhibit features a masterpiece by the French painter Monet.
Critics consider The Godfather to be one of the greatest masterpieces in film history.
Jiwoo felt that this sculpture was the finest masterpiece she had ever created.
Amelia's first novel was an instant masterpiece, winning several literary awards.
- masterwork
less common; more neutral, slightly less admiring
- magnum opus
refers specifically to an artist's single greatest work, often lifelong
- classic
emphasises enduring quality and influence over time
- failure
a work that falls short of expectations
文法句型
a masterpiece
masterpiece of [art form]
consider + noun + masterpiece
用法筆記
Frequently used with of to name the art form: a masterpiece of poetry / of cinema / of Renaissance painting. The verb consider is a common collocating verb: critics consider it a masterpiece.
常見錯誤
2. something made or done with such great skill that it serves as a brilliant examp
something made or done with such great skill that it serves as a brilliant example of its kind, even when it is not a formal work of art — for example, a well-crafted piece of furniture, a cleverly designed building, or a perfectly prepared meal.
After years of practice, the chef called her chocolate cake a true masterpiece of baking.
a true masterpiece of [domain] — emphasising authenticity of the skill
Hugo's design for the suspension bridge was a masterpiece of modern engineering.
a masterpiece of [domain] — naming the field of expertise
Putri considered her garden a masterpiece of careful planning and years of hard work.
The carpenter looked at the hand-carved table and called it a masterpiece of traditional woodworking.
- tour de force
more dramatic; implies difficulty or virtuosity was on display
- triumph
emphasises success over difficulty or obstacles
- gem
informal; suggests something small but perfectly formed
文法句型
a masterpiece of [domain/skill]
用法筆記
Almost always used in the pattern a masterpiece of + noun phrase naming the domain or skill. The object described need not be a traditional art form — cooking, engineering, gardening, and craftsmanship are all common. Unlike sense 1, this sense is not used for paintings, books, or films.