An opus is a piece of classical music by a particular composer. Opus is usually followed by a number which indicates at what point the piece was written. The abbreviation op. is also used.
...Beethoven's Piano Sonata in E minor, Opus 90.
2. countable noun
You can refer to an artistic work such as a piece of music or writing or a painting as an opus.
...the new opus from Peter Gabriel.
3. See also magnum opus
More Synonyms of opus
opus in British English
(ˈəʊpəs, ˈɒp-)
nounWord forms: pluralopuses or opera (ˈɒpərə)
1.
an artistic composition, esp a musical work
2. (often capital)
(usually followed by a number) a musical composition by a particular composer, generally catalogued in order of publication
Beethoven's opus 61 is his violin concerto
Abbreviation: op.
Word origin
C18: from Latin: a work; compare Sanskrit apas work
opus in American English
(ˈoʊpəs)
nounWord forms: pluralˈopera (ˈoʊpərə; ˈɑpərə) or ˈopuses
a work; composition; esp., any of the musical works of a composer numbered in orderof composition or publication
Word origin
L, a work < IE *ops < base *op-, to work, riches > L ops, riches, Sans ápas-, work, OE efnan, to work, do
Examples of 'opus' in a sentence
opus
The 800 million project was to have been his magnum opus.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Do they mean magnum opus?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Perhaps her magnum opus must be Men at Work.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In his early magnum opus Being and Time the name he gave to the space in which such multiple possibilities unfold was existence.
Wood, David Philosophy at the Limit (1990)
In other languages
opus
British English: opus NOUN
An opus is a piece of classical music by a particular composer.
...his Piano Sonata in E minor, Opus 90.
American English: opus
Brazilian Portuguese: opus
Chinese: 曲
European Spanish: opus
French: opus
German: Opus
Italian: opera
Japanese: 音楽作品
Korean: 특히 유명 작곡가의 고유 번호가 매겨진 작품
European Portuguese: opus
Latin American Spanish: opus
(noun)
Definition
an artistic creation, esp. a musical work by a particular composer, numbered in order of publication
She couldn't find a publisher for her latest opus.
Synonyms
work
In my opinion, this is Rembrandt's greatest work.
piece
an orchestral piece
production
the apparent lack of skill in the production of much new modern art
creation
The bathroom is entirely my own creation.
composition
Bach's compositions are undoubtedly among the greatest ever written.
work of art
brainchild
oeuvre (French)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of composition
Definition
a work of music, art, or literature
Bach's compositions are undoubtedly among the greatest ever written.
Synonyms
creation,
work,
piece,
production,
opus,
masterpiece,
chef-d'oeuvre
in the sense of creation
Definition
something brought into existence or created
The bathroom is entirely my own creation.
Synonyms
invention,
production,
concept,
achievement,
brainchild (informal),
concoction,
handiwork,
pièce de résistance,
magnum opus,
chef-d'oeuvre
in the sense of piece
Definition
a literary, musical, or artistic composition
an orchestral piece
Synonyms
composition,
work,
production,
opus
Nearby words of
opus
optional
opulence
opulent
opus
oracle
oracular
oral
Synonyms of 'opus'
opus
Explore 'opus' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of production
the apparent lack of skill in the production of much new modern art