French word

chef-d'œuvre

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃɛdœvʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmasterpiece

Example

Ce film est un chef-d'œuvre.

This film is a masterpiece.

Illustration for chef-d'œuvre (masterpiece)

More examples

Sa performance en direct était un chef-d'œuvre.

His live performance was a masterpiece.

Core concept

A finished work that stands out as the clearest expression of its creator's skill.

Common phrases

  • un vrai chef-d'œuvre

    a real masterpiece

  • un chef-d'œuvre du cinéma

    a masterpiece of cinema

Similar words

œuvre: A work produced by an author, artist, or creator.
référence: A work or figure often cited as a standard or model.

Definition in French

Désigne une œuvre artistique, littéraire ou cinématographique jugée exceptionnelle et représentative du talent de son auteur.

Word origin

The compound comes from Old French chief d'oeuvre, formed from chef, meaning 'chief', and œuvre, from Latin opera, meaning 'work'.

Usage tips

  • The compound is masculine, so standard usage is un chef-d'oeuvre even though œuvre alone is feminine.

Opposites

Word lists with this word