capolavoro

masterpiece

noun kah-poh-lah-VOH-roh Rare

Usage Note

Capolavoro is a compound of capo (chief) and lavoro (work). Its plural is capolavori — the compound is treated as a single unit, not split. It is used both for genuine works of art and ironically: un capolavoro di stupidità (a masterpiece of stupidity).

Examples

"La Gioconda è considerata un capolavoro assoluto."

Natural Translation

The Mona Lisa is considered an absolute masterpiece.

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