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 livesJoseph Wambaugh
also : something (such as a novel) having such qualities
soap-operatic adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trachtenberg was a lifelong actor who made her television debut in commercials at age 3 before landing a recurring role as Lily Montgomery on the long-running soap opera All My Children. Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2025 Big defeats have a habit of transforming Manchester United from a football club into a soap opera, with multiple characters bickering over what went wrong. Carl Anka, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025 Cameron Mathison might be a soap opera veteran, but his early days on All My Children were anything but storybook. Victoria Edel, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025 Jack Wagner says 'General Hospital' fans still call him Frisco Jack Wagner recalls 'off script' audition that won him 'Melrose Place' role The soap opera veteran has also worked on shows such as Santa Barbara, Knots Landing, and, most recently, on Hallmark's When Calls the Heart. Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 11 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for soap opera

Word History

Etymology

from its sponsorship by soap manufacturers

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of soap opera was in 1938

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Soap opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soap%20opera. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on soap opera

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