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Opus Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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opus

opus

🇺🇸 /ˈoʊpəs/ · 🇬🇧 /ˈɒpəs/

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

music

A musical composition or set of compositions marked by a specific form or style.

Synonyms

composition, piece, work.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
opus

Often used in a formal or classical music context to refer to a major work, especially a significant work of a composer.

  • Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is considered his greatest opus.
  • Mozart's opus number 20 is a masterpiece.
composition

General term for any creative work, especially in music, writing, and art. Suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

  • She studied music composition at the university.
  • His latest composition is a beautiful piano sonata.
work

General term used to refer to a creation in any creative field, suitable for both formal and informal settings. Can also imply a body of effort over time.

  • Her latest work explores themes of identity and connection.
  • The gallery features several works by contemporary artists.
piece

Informal and widely-used term that can refer to any single creation in art, music, literature, or other fields. It is versatile for various contexts.

  • He played a beautiful piece on the guitar.
  • This piece of art is simply stunning.

Examples of usage

  • He is famous for his symphonic opuses.
  • This opera is considered his greatest opus.
Context #2 | Noun

literature

A creative work, especially a musical composition or set of works.

Synonyms

creation, masterpiece, work.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
opus

Often used in the context of a significant musical or literary work, especially one by a composer.

  • Beethoven's Symphony No
  • 9 is a monumental opus
work

A broad term that can refer to any piece of creative effort or product, used in various professional or artistic contexts. Can be part of everyday language.

  • Shakespeare’s works have been studied for centuries
creation

General term used to describe something that has been made or brought into existence by someone, often seen in artistic or scientific contexts.

  • Her latest creation is a beautiful painting inspired by nature
masterpiece

Used to describe a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship, often considered a peak achievement in an artist's career.

  • The Mona Lisa is widely regarded as Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece

Examples of usage

  • Her latest novel is regarded as her opus.
  • The poet's collected opuses were published posthumously.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “opus”

Opus is a 1-syllable noun. It is pronounced /ˈoʊpəs/ in American English and /ˈɒpəs/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 6 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #19,667 among the most common English words.

Origin of 'opus'

The word 'opus' originated from Latin, where it means 'work' or 'labour'. In music, it is used to refer to a musical composition or set of compositions, while in literature, it is used more broadly to describe a creative work or masterpiece. The term has been widely adopted in the fields of music and literature to denote significant artistic creations.

Rhymes

Opus rhymes with copus and mopus.

See all rhymes →

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,667, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.