magnum opus
Artist's greatest work
A magnum opus is the greatest work of an artist, writer, or composer—the achievement by which they're best known or most likely to be remembered.
The Latin phrase literally means "great work." Critics and fans debate which piece deserves the designation: Is Beethoven's magnum opus the Ninth Symphony or the late string quartets?
The term applies beyond art to any culminating achievement: The tax code revision was his magnum opus.
Supreme artistic achievement
- tour de forceExceptional feat of skill
- pièce de résistanceOutstanding item in collection
- masterworkSupreme creative achievement
- crowning achievementGreatest success attained
seminal work · showpiece · classic · exemplar · paragon · quintessence · benchmark · touchstone
Uppermost point or culmination
- zenithPoint straight overhead
- acmeUltimate point of attainment
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- peakUtmost height attained
climax · culmination · high point · high-water mark · crowning glory · ne plus ultra · capstone · apotheosis
Significant site representing shared heritage
- artistic heritageInherited creative traditions
- posthumous recognitionHonor given after death
- influential workCreation with lasting impact
- epoch-makingStarting a new age
canon · oeuvre · body of work
One's greatest lasting contribution
- ultimate goalFinal desired outcome
- artistic ambitionDrive toward aesthetic excellence
- labor of loveWork done for fulfillment, not payment
- passion projectSelf-motivated creative undertaking
masterpiece
Supreme artistic achievement
- tour de forceExceptional feat of skill
- pièce de résistanceOutstanding item in collection
- masterworkSupreme creative achievement
crowning achievement · seminal work · showpiece · classic · exemplar · paragon · quintessence · benchmark · touchstone · hallmark
apex
Uppermost point or culmination
peak · climax · culmination · high point · high-water mark · crowning glory · ne plus ultra · capstone · apotheosis · finest hour
cultural landmark
Significant site representing shared heritage
- artistic heritageInherited creative traditions
- posthumous recognitionHonor given after death
- influential workCreation with lasting impact
epoch-making · canon · oeuvre · body of work
life's work
One's greatest lasting contribution
- ultimate goalFinal desired outcome
- artistic ambitionDrive toward aesthetic excellence
- labor of loveWork done for fulfillment, not payment
- achievementsaccomplishment, achievement, accomplishments, achievements, triumph
- excellenceexcellence, greatness, superior, perfection, premium
- worksmasterpieces, compositions, piece, pieces, work
- alchemyalchemy, alchemist, philosopher's stone, transmutation, elixir
- Latin Wordsad, ad nauseam, et, caveat emptor, affidavit
- occultwitchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, black magic, tarot
magnify, magnificent, magnitude, opus, magnificence, magnification, magnum, operas, opuses