soap opera

noun

1

a

: a serial drama performed originally on a daytime radio or television program and chiefly characterized by tangled interpersonal situations and melodramatic or sentimental treatment

b

: a series of real-life events resembling a soap opera

2

: the melodrama and sentimentality characteristic of a soap opera

even cops need a little soap opera in their lives

—Joseph Wambaugh

also : something (such as a novel) having such qualities

soap-operatic

ˈsōp-ˌä-pə-ˈra-tik 

adjective

Synonyms

• corn
• goo
• mush
• schmaltz
• schmalz
• sludge
• slush
• sorghum

Examples of soap opera in a Sentence

She loves to watch daytime soap operas.

the movie started out well, but quickly devolved into improbable soap opera

Recent Examples on the Web

The 86-year-old — known for playing Harold Bishop on the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours — spoke to 10 News First and opened up about being diagnosed with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, a rare form of lung cancer. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024

The soap opera veteran died surrounded by family in his Los Angeles home over Thanksgiving weekend, according to People. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 2 Dec. 2024

In 2005, Northrop rejoined the cast of the NBC soap opera as Dr. Alex North, a medical school classmate of Dr. Marlena Evans. —Michaela Zee, Variety, 1 Dec. 2024

And speaking of that very popular cowboy soap opera, here are some other Western TV shows and family dramas to watch. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

from its sponsorship by soap manufacturers

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

soap opera

noun

: a radio or television drama presented in a series of continuing stories and characters and intended to appeal to the emotions

Etymology

so called because the advertisers on these programs were usually soap manufacturers