aria

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

noun

an air or melody.

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

Origin of aria

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

Can be confusedarea aria

Aria

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

noun Classical Mythology.

a nymph, the mother of Miletus, by Apollo.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for arias

hymn, descant, song

Examples from the Web for arias

Contemporary Examples of arias

“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
“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
If convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter, Arias could serve far less time in prison: seven to 12 years.
Jodi Arias Faces Her Fate as Jury Begins Deliberations
Christine Pelisek
May 5, 2013
“She just gutted him,” said Martinez, who likened Arias to an obsessed stalker and sociopath.
Jodi Arias Faces Her Fate as Jury Begins Deliberations
Christine Pelisek
May 5, 2013
Arias dated Alexander for several months and then continued a sexual relationship with him after they broke up.
Will Jodi Arias Go Free?
Christine Pelisek
May 3, 2013

Historical Examples of arias

Arias is dead, Raminez also, though I have not seen a Raminez to equal this one.
Poor Folk in Spain
Jan Gordon
Some plans accompanied Arias' report but were not published.
The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Volume IV
Hubert Howe Bancroft
The work is for a five part choir, with arias, a duet, and a trio.
Bach
Charles Francis Abdy Williams
They prescribed also the kinds and number of arias, duets, etc.
How Music Developed
W. J. Henderson
His arias are deliberately designed to catch the applause of an audience.
How Music Developed
W. J. Henderson

British Dictionary definitions for arias

aria

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

Word Origin and History for arias

aria

from Italian aria, literally "air" (see air (n.1)).

arias in Culture

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.

Note

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