It is a masterpiece vs Triumph

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

It is a masterpiece

Top 3,000 (common)

Triumph

Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Most common: Triumph
 It is a masterpieceTriumph
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ɪt ɪz ə ˈmɑːstəpiːs//🇺🇸 //ɪt ɪz ə ˈmæstərpiːs//🇬🇧 /["/ˈtraɪʌmf/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtraɪʌmf/"]/
MeaningA very great piece of art or work.A great victory or success.
ExampleThe new novel by the author is truly a masterpiece.Winning the championship was a great triumph for the underdog team.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 3,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level-C1
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsconsidered a masterpiece, create a masterpiece, a true masterpiece, regarded as a masterpiece, an artistic masterpiecegreat, major, real, score, hail something as, see something as, in triumph, triumph against, triumph for, a/​somebody’s moment of triumph, a sense of triumph, a/​somebody’s triumph over adversity, great, major, real, score, hail something as, see something as, in triumph, triumph against, triumph for, a/​somebody’s moment of triumph, a sense of triumph, a/​somebody’s triumph over adversity
Antonyms-defeat, failure, loss
Common mistakesUsed for something mediocre instead of truly exceptional., Saying 'masterpiece' too casually., Confused with 'masterpiece theater' which refers to a specific show.Confusing with 'triumphant', which describes the feeling after a victory., Using it as a verb incorrectly, instead of the adjective form., Overusing it in minor achievements instead of reserving it for significant victories.
Usage notesCommonly used to praise art, literature, or significant achievements. It's inappropriate for casual or informal contexts when discussing trivial items.Used to describe a significant win or achievement, often in contexts like sports, competitions, or personal accomplishments. Less appropriate for casual, everyday situations.

See it in real clips

It is a masterpiece
Triumph

Frequently asked questions: It is a masterpiece vs Triumph

What's the difference between It is a masterpiece and Triumph?

It is a masterpiece: A very great piece of art or work. Triumph: A great victory or success.

Which is more common: It is a masterpiece and Triumph?

Triumph is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

It is a masterpiece: The new novel by the author is truly a masterpiece. Triumph: Winning the championship was a great triumph for the underdog team.

Can I use It is a masterpiece and Triumph interchangeably?

Not always. It is a masterpiece and Triumph are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

Related comparisons