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.
Ripa and Consuelos are one of the longest-standing couples in Hollywood, tying the knot in May 1996, one year after meeting on the soap opera All My Children. Kayla Grant, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025 Trachtenberg was best known in her younger years for her breakout as the titular preteen lead in the 1996 movie adaptation of Louise Fitzhugh's children's novel Harriet the Spy as well as stints on the Nickelodeon sitcom The Adventures of Pete & Pete and the soap opera All My Children. Megan McCluskey, TIME, 26 Feb. 2025 The soap opera is a genre older than the invention of the television, dating all the way back to radio serials of the early 20th century. Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025 Her cause of death has not been shared. Beyond the Gates, the first new daytime soap opera on network TV in 25 years, debuted on CBS yesterday. Brittney Melton, NPR, 25 Feb. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Soap opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soap%20opera. Accessed 8 Mar. 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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