opera

¹ American  

[op-er-uh, op-ruh] / ˈɒp ər ə, ˈɒp rə /

noun

1. an extended dramatic composition, in which all parts are sung to instrumental accompaniment, that usually includes arias, choruses, and recitatives, and that sometimes includes ballet.

2. the form or branch of musical and dramatic art represented by such compositions.

3. the score or the words of such a composition.

4. a performance of one.

   to go to the opera.

5. (sometimes initial capital letter) an opera house or resident company.

   the Paris Opera.

---

opera ² American  

[oh-per-uh, op-er-uh] / ˈoʊ pər ə, ˈɒp ər ə /

noun

Chiefly Music.

1. a plural of opus.

---

opera ¹ British  

/ ˈɒpərə /

noun

1. a plural of opus

---

opera ² British  

/ ˈɒprə, ˈɒpərə /

noun

1. an extended dramatic work in which music constitutes a dominating feature, either consisting of separate recitatives, arias, and choruses, or having a continuous musical structure

2. the branch of music or drama represented by such works

3. the score, libretto, etc, of an opera

4. a theatre where opera is performed

---

opera Cultural  

1. A musical drama that is totally or mostly sung. Aïda , Carmen, and Don Giovanni are some celebrated operas. A light, comic opera is often called an operetta.

---

Etymology

Origin of opera

1635–45; < Italian: work, opera < Latin, plural of opus service, work, a work, opus

Explanation

An opera is a theatrical piece that tells a story totally through the music. It consists of recitatives which provide the narrative plot line and elaborate chorus singing, along with duets and arias, which are the parts we most remember. We get the word opera from the Latin and, later, from the Italian, a noun formed from the word operari, "to work." The style evolved in Italy around 1600, and was initially unrealistic, mainly a chance for soloists to show off. In the mid-18th Century the focus shifted to both strong story and exquisite singing. Emotion is an important quality, a trait carried over to "soap operas" which have no singing but plenty of fake tears.

Example Sentences

A Jewish woman whose grandparents were Holocaust survivors, and grew up at Bondi, told the inquiry she was "shocked to see flags being burnt at the Opera House -- it was such an un-Australian thing".

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

James Conlon has begun his long goodbye as music director of Los Angeles Opera, and he does so by boasting big numbers.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

“Sleepers Awake” by Gregory Spears, given its world premiere by Opera Philadelphia at the Academy of Music on Wednesday, turns “Sleeping Beauty” on its head.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

You can hear it live several times this year: On April 24, it will be played by ensembleNEWSRQ at the Sarasota Opera House in Florida.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

In a moment they had lifted into the sky and turning north, headed back in the direction of the War Memorial Opera House.

From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick

Related Words

• act
• appearance
• behavior
• concert
• dance
• display
• drama
• play
• portrayal
• presentation
• production
• show