aria

[ ahr-ee-uh, air-ee-uh ]

/ ˈɑr i ə, ˈɛər i ə /

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See synonyms for aria on Thesaurus.com

noun

an air or melody.

an elaborate melody sung solo with accompaniment, as in an opera or oratorio.

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Origin of aria

From Italian, dating back to 1735–45; see origin at air¹

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH aria

area, aria

Other definitions for aria (2 of 3)

Aria

[ ahr-ee-uh, uh-rahy-uh ]

/ ˈɑr i ə, əˈraɪ ə /

noun Classical Mythology.

a nymph, the mother of Miletus, by Apollo.

Other definitions for aria (3 of 3)

-aria

a suffix occurring in scientific terms of Latin origin, especially in names of biological genera and groups: filaria.

Origin of -aria

<Latin: feminine singular or neuter plural of -ārius-ary

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use aria in a sentence

President of Costa Rica Oscar Arias laid a calming hand on 1980s El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Up To A Point: What We Really Need Is a Nobel War Prize|P. J. O’Rourke|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Here opera arias prove more effective than a S.W.A.T. team and diplomats combined at resolving an international incident.
What are the Best Novels on Music?|Ted Gioia|October 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Or why did America obsess over the trial of Jodi Arias, who killed a white man?
Here’s Why the Republican Party’s Minority Outreach Effort Won’t Work|Kirsten Powers|July 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“The movie is a good representation of what could happen,” Arias said.
‘The Kings of Summer’ Stars on Survival Skills, Girls, Becoming Men, and More|Anna Klassen|May 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST

“Jordan became one of our friends instead of our boss,” said Arias.
‘The Kings of Summer’ Stars on Survival Skills, Girls, Becoming Men, and More|Anna Klassen|May 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Who knows, perhaps in three years time you will be hearing my opera and singing my arias.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
Wherever such a company may be congregated, Pedro Arias de Avila is entitled to a high and exclusive place.
South American Fights and Fighters|Cyrus Townsend Brady
Vocalises, songs, and arias are taken up, usually very early in the course of study.
The Psychology of Singing|David C. Taylor
These are followed by a vocalise or two, and a couple of songs or arias, which fill out the thirty minutes.
The Psychology of Singing|David C. Taylor
This mechanical instruction is almost always interspersed with songs and arias.
The Psychology of Singing|David C. Taylor

British Dictionary definitions for aria

aria

/ (ˈɑːrɪə) /

noun

an elaborate accompanied song for solo voice from a cantata, opera, or oratorioSee also da capo

Word Origin for aria

C18: from Italian: tune, air

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for aria

aria

[ (ahr-ee-uh) ]

A piece of music for one voice (or occasionally two voices) in an opera, oratorio, or cantata. In contrast with recitative singing, arias are melodious; in contrast with ordinary songs, arias are usually elaborate.

notes for aria

Some composers, such as Richard Wagner, have felt that arias interrupt the action of opera too much and hence have written operas without them.

aria

Origin of aria

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH aria

Other definitions for aria (2 of 3)

Other definitions for aria (3 of 3)

Origin of -aria

Words related to aria

How to use aria in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for aria

Word Origin for aria

Cultural definitions for aria

notes for aria