magnum opus

IPA/ˌmæɡnəm ˈəʊpəs/
IPA/ˌmæɡnəm ˈəʊpəs/

magnum opus — 名詞

1. The single most significant creation in the lifetime of a painter, writer, compo

1.名詞B2
釋義

代表作；傑作

藝術家或作家一生中最具代表性的作品

The single most significant creation in the lifetime of a painter, writer, composer, or other artist.

例句

Diego's fifth novel won several awards and is now considered his magnum opus.

Diego 的第五本小說獲得多項獎項，現在被視為他的代表作。

possessive + magnum opus with 'consider' passive

The gallery exhibition features Femi's magnum opus — a painting forty years in the making.

該畫廊展出了 Femi 耗時四十年創作的巨幅畫作——他的代表作。

magnum opus introduced with a long creative period

同義詞
  • masterpiece

    more common in everyday speech; can refer to any excellent work, not necessarily the greatest one

  • masterwork

    slightly more formal than masterpiece; often used for handcrafted or visual arts

  • chef-d'œuvre

    French loanword with the same meaning; very formal and literary

文法句型

possessive + magnum opus

the magnum opus of + [person]

用法筆記

Frequently used with a possessive determiner (his, her, their) or in the structure 'the magnum opus of [name]'. The plural form magna opera is rare; most speakers use magnum opuses in English.

常見錯誤

❌The Mona Lisa is a magnum opus painting.
✅The Mona Lisa is considered Leonardo's magnum opus.
💡magnum opus is a noun, not an adjective; it refers to the work itself, not a category of works.
❌She wrote several magnum opuses this year.
✅She spent twenty years writing her magnum opus.
💡the term implies a once-in-a-lifetime achievement, not something produced regularly.

2. The greatest project or achievement someone has completed, in any line of work o

2.名詞C1
釋義

巔峰之作

在任何領域中最重大的成就或作品

The greatest project or achievement someone has completed, in any line of work or creative effort.

例句

Imran's magnum opus was the solar-powered water system he built for the village.

Imran 的巔峰成就，是他為村莊建造的太陽能供水系統。

magnum opus used for engineering achievement

Professor Heather finally published her magnum opus on marine ecosystems after decades of study.

Heather 教授經過數十年研究，終於出版了關於海洋生態系統的巔峰之作。

同義詞
  • crowning achievement

    highlights that this is the peak moment of a career; slightly more dramatic in tone

  • greatest work

    more straightforward and less formal; works in any context

文法句型

possessive + magnum opus

regard something as + possessive + magnum opus

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense extends beyond the arts to any profession — science, engineering, business, or public service. The subject is often an institution or person whose career is defined by a single outstanding contribution.

常見錯誤

❌My homework was my magnum opus.
✅Her doctoral dissertation became her magnum opus.
💡magnum opus implies a work of lasting significance, not a routine task.