libretto
Americannoun
-
the text or words of an opera or similar extended musical composition.
-
a book or booklet containing such a text.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of libretto
1735–45; < Italian, diminutive of libro book < Latin liber; see -et
Explanation
In opera, the libretto is the words or lyrics, as distinct from the music. Mozart composed the music to his operas, but the librettos were written by someone else. The life of the librettist is often a thankless one. If the opera is a success, nobody mentions the libretto. Often, the libretto of an opera or musical is called the "book" and refers to all the parts of the script except the music. This can be helpful in remembering what the word means, because libr- is Latin for "book" (as in "library").
Vocabulary lists containing libretto
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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2015 Spelling Bee - Words from Round 2
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Theater - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Michael D. Libretto, denied a request by Mr. Hadi’s lawyers for information about the firing.
From New York Times • Aug. 28, 2019
I have no inside knowledge and quite a few inclinations: I'd love a pocketable iPad as much as I like small computers such as the defunct Toshiba Libretto and the lively 11in MacBook Air.
From The Guardian • Jul. 9, 2012
Libretto translators are forced to play fast and loose with the meaning of the original text to render an equivalent in performable English.
From New York Times • Dec. 24, 2010
Lorenzaccio's Libretto proved to have greater distinction than its music.
From Time Magazine Archive
“Oh, boo hoo. I, Luigi Libretto Lemoncello, hereby officially declare the games of this first Library Olympiad to be over. Done. Kaput!”
From "Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics" by Chris Grabenstein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
