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piece

[C/U] Both
pl: piecespast: piecedpp: pieceding: piecingcomp: more piecesup: most piece

This term functions primarily as a measure word for uncountable nouns, allowing speakers to quantify substances like cake, advice, or information. It bridges the gap between a mass of material and a discrete, manageable unit, effectively transforming an abstract or continuous entity into a countable object. In artistic and intellectual spheres, the word shifts from denoting a fragment to representing a completed whole. A piece of music or a piece of art is not a fragment of a larger work, but a standalone creation, illustrating how the word can simultaneously signify both a part and a totality depending on the creative context.

Countable as a fragment or work.

Meanings

Noun
[someone][something]

A portion of something that has been divided or detached.

"a piece of cake"

Collocations & Compounds

piece of cake

something very easy

The exam was a piece of cake.

center piece

the middle decorative object

The floral center piece looked elegant on the table.

master piece

a work of outstanding artistry

The gallery displayed the artist's final master piece.

piece of mind

one's opinion, often expressed angrily

He gave the manager a piece of his mind.

chess piece

a playing figure in chess

The knight is a powerful chess piece.

Phrasal Verbs

piece together

assemble from fragments

The detective tried to piece together the clues.

Last Updated: May 27, 2026Report an Error