opus

IPA/ˈəʊpəs/
KK[ˈopəs]IPA/ˈəʊpəs/

opus — noun

  • opussingular
  • operaplural

1. a numbered composition that helps identify what sequence a musical work follows

1.名詞C1
釋義

a numbered composition that helps identify what sequence a musical work follows in its composer's published history

例句

Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14, Opus 27 No. 2, is better known as the Moonlight Sonata.

composer's name + piece title + Opus number

Leo studied Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 16 in C major, Opus 545, for his exam.

同義詞
  • composition

    a more general term for any written piece of music, not necessarily numbered

  • work

    broad term that can refer to any creative output, musical or otherwise

  • piece

    everyday word for a single musical item

用法筆記

Often abbreviated as 'Op.' before the number (e.g., Op. 18). A single opus may contain several pieces or movements — the number refers to the whole publication, not to each part.

常見錯誤

❌I wrote an opus for my music class.
✅I wrote a composition for my music class.
💡'Opus' is used for officially numbered works by published composers, not for student assignments.
❌Beethoven's Opus 27 is in C-sharp minor.
✅Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2, is in C-sharp minor.
💡An opus number alone may cover multiple pieces; include the specific piece title for clarity.

2. a large, important, or impressive piece of art, literature, or other creative wo

2.名詞C2
釋義

a large, important, or impressive piece of art, literature, or other creative work, often one that a person is especially known for

例句

Gabriel spent twelve years writing his novel and called it his greatest opus.

possessive pronoun + greatest/final + opus

The museum exhibit displays several paintings from Picasso's later opus.

同義詞
  • masterpiece

    focuses on the outstanding quality of the work

  • magnum opus

    the full Latin phrase, used for a person's single greatest achievement

  • creation

    a broader, more neutral term for anything made or produced

用法筆記

Frequently appears in the Latin phrase 'magnum opus' (great work). Unlike sense 1, this sense does NOT refer to a numbered catalog system — it simply emphasizes the scale or importance of a creative output.

常見錯誤

❌I finished my history opus last night.
✅I finished my history paper last night.
💡'Opus' is too grand and formal for routine academic work; use 'paper' or 'essay' instead.
❌Her first short story was her opus.
✅Her first short story showed early promise, but her later novel became her true opus.
💡The word implies a large or defining work, not a small beginner piece.