Phrase guide

chef d'œuvre

noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌʃeɪˈdɜː.v(ɹə)/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /-ˈdɜː.vɹə/
  • General-American: /ˌʃɛdˈəːv/
  • General-American: /-ˈdɜː.vɹə/
  • General-American: /ˌʃeɪ-/
  • General-American: /ʃɛf-/ spelling pronunciation

1

noun

Meaning 1

A piece of work that has been given much critical praise, especially one considered the greatest work of a person's career.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: masterpiece, magnum opus

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A work of outstanding creativity, skill or workmanship.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A work created in order to qualify as a master craftsman and member of a guild.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from French chef-d'œuvre.