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

Families are often tangled webs on daytime soap operas. —Jeremy Helligar, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Of course, there is no telling the number of twists and turns this hideous soap opera will take even by, say, the middle of this summer let alone next year and beyond. —Tom Layberger, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

After the show, however, Marcille truly blossomed, with her infectious personality securing the performer regular acting gigs in the Tyler Perry sitcom House of Payne and the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. —EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025

The months-long soap opera captivated the NBA world and demoralized Magic fans. —Josh Robbins, The Athletic, 7 Mar. 2025

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