chef d'œuvre
/ˌʃɛdˈəːv/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.48 in modern English
21
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
2
Syllables
9
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A piece of work that has been given much critical praise, especially one considered the greatest work of a person's career.
noun
A work of outstanding creativity, skill or workmanship.
noun
A work created in order to qualify as a master craftsman and member of a guild.
Example Sentences
- "It was there that the Romans exposed their chefs-d’œuvre of painting and of sculpture."
- "I shall have a bottle of the old Burgundy, and tell Chloe he must exert himself to send me up some slight chef-d'œuvre for supper: I am sure that one needs something, after so much annoyance!"
- "Ch‘ing Twan-hëoh... took his third degree in 1,321. He was much employed in the office of historiography, and composed the Work next mentioned and another on the Ch‘un Ts‘ëw before he felt equal to this, which is reckoned his chef d'œuvre."
- "Indeed I will explain Danceny's note. The occasion of it is my own doing, and I like to think it is my chef d'oeuvre."
Etymology
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˌʃɛdˈəːv/
- British English: /ˌʃeɪˈdɜː.v(ɹə)/