Opus — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈō-pəs/

Meaning & Definition of Opus

Opus (noun)

  1. work; especially, a musical composition or set of compositions usually numbered in the order of its issue

Opus (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a literary, musical, or artistic production

    "the composer's final opus was performed posthumously to great acclaim"

    similar: composition, number, piece, work
    related: classic, magnum opus, masterpiece, pièce de résistance, showpiece, model, outline, sketch, étude, canon, corpus, oeuvre

Related Entry: Magnum opus (noun)

Magnum opus is a different word from Opus. The synonyms below are for magnum opus, not for opus.

  1. something (as a work of art) that is a great achievement and often its creator's greatest achievement

    "this symphony is usually considered Beethoven's magnum opus"

    similar: chef d'oeuvre, classic, masterpiece, masterwork
    related: masterstroke, pièce de résistance, showpiece, tour de force, blockbuster, megahit, smash, success, winner, gem, jewel, prize, treasure
    near: bomb, catastrophe, clunker, debacle, disaster, dud, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, loser, turkey, washout

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Opus

The most common words with a similar meaning to Opus:

composition, number, piece, work

Related Words for Opus

classic, magnum opus, masterpiece, pièce de résistance, showpiece, model, outline, sketch, étude, canon, corpus, oeuvre

Word Forms of Opus

Inflections: opera, opuses

Origin & Etymology of Opus

borrowed from Latin oper-, opus (plural opera) "work, effort, product of labor, work of art," going back to Indo-European *h3ep-os-, *h3ep-es- "work" (whence also Sanskrit apas- "work, action"), derivative of *h3ep- "ability, force," whence Latin op-, *ops "power, ability, wealth, resource(s)," and, with varying suffixation, Sanskrit apnas- "possession, property, work," Hittite happina- "rich," happir-, happar- "business, trade," Germanic *afla- (whence Old English afol "power, might," Old Norse afl "strength"); and, with lengthened ablaut grade, Sanskrit āpas- "work, religious act," Avestan huuāpah- "performing good deeds," Germanic *ōbjan- "to perform" (whence Old Saxon oƀian "to celebrate," Old High German uoben, uoppen "to practice, exercise")

First known use: 1808

Words & Phrases Containing Opus

opus Dei, magnum opus, finis coronat opus, hoc opus, hic labor est

Frequently Asked Questions about Opus

What does "Opus" mean?

"Opus" means work; especially, a musical composition or set of compositions usually numbered in the order of its issue. As a noun, it is defined as: work; especially, a musical composition or set of compositions usually numbered in the order of its issue.

What is another word for "Opus"?

Other words for "Opus" include composition, number, piece and work. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Opus" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Opus"?

There are 16 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Opus". Common alternatives include composition, number, piece and work.

How do you use "Opus" in a sentence?

Examples of "Opus" in a sentence: "the composer's final opus was performed posthumously to great acclaim".

Is "Opus" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Opus" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Opus"?

"Opus" is pronounced /ˈō-pəs/.

What is the origin of the word "Opus"?

"Opus" comes from borrowed from Latin oper-, opus (plural opera) "work, effort, product of labor, work of art," going back to Indo-European *h3ep-os-, *h3ep-es- "work" (whence also Sanskrit apas- "work, action"), derivative of *h3ep- "ability, force," whence Latin op-, *ops "power, ability, wealth, resource(s)," and, with varying suffixation, Sanskrit apnas- "possession, property, work," Hittite happina- "rich," happir-, happar- "business, trade," Germanic *afla- (whence Old English afol "power, might," Old Norse afl "strength"); and, with lengthened ablaut grade, Sanskrit āpas- "work, religious act," Avestan huuāpah- "performing good deeds," Germanic *ōbjan- "to perform" (whence Old Saxon oƀian "to celebrate," Old High German uoben, uoppen "to practice, exercise"). First known use: 1808.

What is another word for "Opus" meaning "a literary, musical, or artistic production"?

When "Opus" (noun) means a literary, musical, or artistic production, synonyms include composition, number, piece and work.