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

On that same April day, Venetians commemorate the tragic love story of Tancredi and the doge’s daughter, as charted in Rossini’s opera Tancredi. —Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Feb. 2025

To give it a more formal and Hollywood-ready feel, the dress featured sparkling sequins and beads in champagne and cream, and accessorized with matching opera gloves to boot. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 Feb. 2025

Other performers for the pre-show include Best Contemporary Blues Album nominee Joe Bonamassa and opera star Renée Fleming. —Kerry Breen, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2025

Beyoncé wore the gown with coordinated opera gloves, drop pearl earrings and velvet pointed-toe platform heels. —Julia Teti, WWD, 3 Feb. 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