magnum opus

English

Etymology

From Latin magnum opus (“great work”).[1]

Pronunciation

  • (Latin) IPA(key): /ˌmaŋnũː ˈopus/
  • (Received Pronunciation) enPR: măg'nəm ōʹpəs, IPA(key): /ˌmæɡnəm ˈəʊpəs/
  • (US) enPR: măg'nəm ōʹpəs, IPA(key): /ˌmæɡnəm ˈoʊpəs/

Noun

Examples

magnum opus (plural magna opera or magnum opuses or magnum opi)

  1. A great or important work of literature, music or art, a masterpiece.
  2. The best, most popular, or most renowned achievement of an author or artist, representing their major life effort.
    The 1949 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four is widely considered to be George Orwell's magnum opus.

Usage notes

The Latin plural magna opera may be preferred in some academic and literary contexts, in popular usage the English-style plural magnum opuses is more common. The plural magnum opi, although rare and likely regarded as incorrect in formal works, does see some use.

Synonyms

Translations

References

  1. ↑ The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language [Fourth Edition]

Further reading

Anagrams

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