WordValeopus
a numbered musical composition
In more detail
1. (noun) a large and important work of art, music, or literature
2. (noun) a musical work numbered in a composer's catalog of works
Examples
- 1. Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is considered one of his greatest opuses.
- 2. The composer's opus 5 was written early in his career.
How to use opus
Opus refers to a significant artistic or musical work, often implying substantial effort and importance. In music, it specifically denotes a numbered catalog entry in a composer's body of work. The term is somewhat formal and literary; magnum opus (greatest work) is particularly common in academic and critical contexts.
Common phrases
- magnum opus
- opus number
- musical opus
- opus of art
- life's opus
Synonyms
work · composition · masterpiece · creation · piece
Word family
opera · operatic · operetta
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse opus with opera, which is a staged musical drama; opus is a broader term for any major work and is not limited to music.
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