opus
C1Formal, Academic, Artistic
Definition
Meaning
A substantial and important creative work, especially a musical composition or set of compositions, numbered to indicate its place in the artist's output.
Any significant artistic, literary, or scholarly work; a large or major undertaking, especially one that is regarded as the most important or best work of a composer, writer, or artist.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In music, "opus" (abbreviated Op.) followed by a number is the standard method for cataloguing a composer's works in chronological order of publication or composition. It implies a work of considerable size, seriousness, and completeness, often a multi-movement composition like a symphony, concerto, or sonata.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are identical.
Connotations
Equally formal and academic in both varieties, primarily associated with classical music and high art.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both, used primarily in artistic, academic, and formal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Be] [opus] [number] (e.g., is Opus 131)[Composer]'s [opus] [number][Consider] [something] [one's] [magnum opus][Publish] [an] [opus]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “magnum opus (one's greatest work)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used. May appear metaphorically to describe a major project report or strategic plan.
Academic
Common in musicology, art history, and literary studies to refer to a significant numbered work or an author's complete body of work.
Everyday
Very rare. Used jokingly or metaphorically to refer to any large, complex undertaking (e.g., 'My weekend baking was a real opus').
Technical
Standard terminology in classical music for cataloguing compositions (e.g., Beethoven's Op. 125).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This composer opused over 100 works. (Extremely rare/archaic)
- The artist opused her final painting. (Rare/jocular)
American English
- He opused a new symphony every year. (Rare/jocular)
- The writer opused a trilogy. (Rare/jocular)
adverb
British English
- Not applicable. 'Opus' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable. 'Opus' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The opus number is clearly marked. (Common)
- An opus-by-opus analysis. (Common)
American English
- The opus catalogue is incomplete. (Common)
- She studied opus chronology. (Common)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher played a beautiful piece of music.
- Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is one of his most famous works.
- Schubert's late opuses, like the String Quintet in C major, are considered masterpieces of chamber music.
- Her doctoral thesis was a real opus, taking five years to complete.
- Scholars debate the exact chronology of the composer's early opuses, as some were published posthumously.
- The novelist's final opus, a sprawling family saga, was published to great critical acclaim.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of "OPUS" as "One Piece, Utterly Significant" or remember the band 'Opeth', named from the word 'Opus'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WORK OF ART IS A MONUMENT; A CREATIVE OUTPUT IS A MAP (with opus numbers as coordinates).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'опус', which in Russian can have a slightly ironic or dismissive connotation for a minor or pretentious work. In English, 'opus' is neutral-to-positive.
- Do not confuse with 'opera'. An opus is a numbered work; an opera is a dramatic musical work for the stage.
Common Mistakes
- Using the plural 'opuses' instead of the correct Latin plural 'opera' (though 'opuses' is becoming accepted).
- Using 'opus' for very small or trivial works.
- Incorrect capitalisation: 'Opus' is typically lowercase unless starting a sentence or part of a title.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'opus' used most precisely and commonly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The traditional, formal plural is 'opera' (from Latin). However, the regular English plural 'opuses' is also widely accepted and commonly used, especially in non-academic contexts.
Yes, it can be used metaphorically or formally for any major artistic, literary, or scholarly work (e.g., 'his literary opus', 'her magnum opus in architecture'). However, its primary and most precise use remains in music.
It is a Latin phrase meaning 'great work'. It refers to the largest, most important, or most acclaimed work produced by a writer, composer, or other artist.
Yes, it is a formal, academic word. In everyday conversation, words like 'work', 'piece', or 'composition' are more common unless specifically discussing classical music or high art.
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