opera
1 Americannoun
-
an extended dramatic composition, in which all parts are sung to instrumental accompaniment, that usually includes arias, choruses, and recitatives, and that sometimes includes ballet.
-
the form or branch of musical and dramatic art represented by such compositions.
-
the score or the words of such a composition.
-
a performance of one.
to go to the opera.
-
(sometimes initial capital letter) an opera house or resident company.
the Paris Opera.
noun
noun
noun
-
an extended dramatic work in which music constitutes a dominating feature, either consisting of separate recitatives, arias, and choruses, or having a continuous musical structure
-
the branch of music or drama represented by such works
-
the score, libretto, etc, of an opera
-
a theatre where opera is performed
Etymology
Origin of opera
1635–45; < Italian: work, opera < Latin, plural of opus service, work, a work, opus
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Both of these clubs have been soap operas all season.
From BBC
Modern audiences brush up against directors trying to make 21st-century opera fresh.
She became obsessed with the opera and orchestral repertoires and was immediately determined to play in an orchestra.
From Los Angeles Times
Ticket sales now cover only a small portion of an opera company’s budget.
The new plan had a “desert opera” theme.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
