The Collaborative International Dictionary
Chef-d'oeuvre \Chef`-d'[oe]uvre"\, n.; pl. Chefs-d'[oe]uvre. A masterpiece; a capital work in art, literature, etc.
Wiktionary
n. A masterpiece.
WordNet
n. the most outstanding work of a creative artist or craftsman [syn: masterpiece]
Usage examples of "chef-d'oeuvre".
Three years later, she published her chef-d'oeuvre, The Secret Doctrine, in which her credo took permanent if wildly confused shape.
On the central table, reserved for the princes, princesses, and members of the corps diplomatique, glittered an epergne of inestimable price, brought from London, and around this chef-d'oeuvre of chased gold reflected under the light of the lusters a thousand pieces of most beautiful service from the manufactories of Sevres.
As the Lord and Master of Kitten Kastle came trotting along, manila envelope under elbow, each man drew aside respectfully, with a fawning manly smile ready to pop if the ruddy, bald, sharp-bearded Satan's face should glance his way, while each girl assumed her melting ready-to-please-milord expression and thrust forward invitingly, but not at all pushingly, her lips, throat, bosom, hip, dimpled knee or whatever other portion of her anatomy she considered her chef-d'oeuvre and main strength.