magnum opus

noun

1. a great work, especially the chief work of a writer or artist:

   Proust's magnum opus is Remembrance of Things Past.

magnum opus

noun

1. a great work of art or literature, esp the greatest single work of an artist

magnum opus

1. The most important work in a person's career, especially in literature, art, or scholarship: “ Moby Dickwas Melville 's magnum opus.” From Latin , meaning “great work.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnum opus¹

Borrowed into English from Latin around 1785–95

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnum opus¹

Latin

Example Sentences

His magnum opus was Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” widely agreed upon as the bestselling album of all time.

From Los Angeles Times

Miller’s magnum opus, “Fury Road” is at once the apotheosis of his cinematic genius — it’s one of the great movies of the last decade — and a departure narratively and tonally from the previous films.

From New York Times

It ended as he was trying to finish writing “Comic Book Wars,” his eagerly awaited magnum opus about the industry.

From New York Times

Referred to as Serra’s magnum opus, with its vast and wavy, ribbon-like pattern and 183 tons of steel, “Band” took more than two years to create and install.

From Los Angeles Times

Tom Shone, writing in The Times of London, said that Nolan’s “magnum opus” was an instant classic.

From New York Times