opera

1 of 2

plural of opus

opera

2 of 2

noun

op·​era ˈä-p(ə-)rə 

 Southern also  ˈä-prē

1

: a drama set to music and made up of vocal pieces with orchestral accompaniment and orchestral overtures (see overture entry 1 sense 2) and interludes (see interlude sense 2)

specifically : grand opera

Beethoven composed only one opera.

2

: the score (see score entry 1 sense 6) of a musical drama

The composer finished the opera in just six weeks.

3

: the performance of an opera

The opera was delayed a half hour due to technical difficulties.

also : a house where operas are performed

We'll meet you at the opera at 7 p.m.

Examples of opera in a Sentence

Noun

I am going to an opera tonight.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Was there something about opera that particularly intrigued you? —Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 14 Jan. 2025

In opera the same role can transform, again and again, with each new interpreter, even over the lifetime of one singer. —Joshua Barone, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025

Madrid is one of the world’s leading stages: theater, musicals, opera, classical music, dance, festivals, and concerts. —Iberia Airlines, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025

The Baywatch alum, joined by her son Brandon Thomas Lee, stunned the carpet in a sleeveless Oscar de la Renta gown with opera gloves and custom Pandora jewelry that boasted over 225 diamonds. —Michelle Lee, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Italian, "work, labor, artistic production, drama set to music (originally short for opera musicale, opera in musica)," going back to Latin, "activity, effort, attention, work," collective derivative from oper-, opus "work, effort, product of labor" — more at opus

First Known Use

Noun

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing opera

• comic opera
• grand opera
• horse opera
• light opera
• opera buffa
• opera glass
• opera hat
• opera house
• opera seria
• soap opera
• space opera
• the opera

Kids Definition

opera

1 of 2

plural of opus

opera

2 of 2 noun

op·​era ˈäp-(ə-)rə 

1

: a play in which usually the entire text is sung with orchestral accompaniment

2

: the performance of an opera

operatic

ˌäp-ə-ˈrat-ik

adjective