aria

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

/ ˈɑr i ə, ˈɛər i ə /

noun

an air or melody.

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

Nearby words

argüedas, arhat, arhinia, arhythmia, arhythmic, aria, aria da capo, ariadne, arian, ariane, arianism

Origin of aria

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

Can be confused

area aria

Definition for arias (2 of 2)

Aria

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

/ ˈɑr i ə, əˈraɪ ə /

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

Examples from the Web for 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|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
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|DAILY BEAST
“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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
While many individuals might be named, Arias Montano was perhaps the greatest of Spains representatives.
A History of Spain|Charles E. Chapman
This choice, in which the Jesuits had some influence, induced them to suppose that Arias would be condemned.
The History of the Inquisition of Spain from the Time of its Establishment to the Reign of Ferdinand VII.|Juan Antonio Llorente
His arias are deliberately designed to catch the applause of an audience.
How Music Developed|W. J. Henderson
The Archbishop of Seville, Arias, who was of the same politics, was shortly afterwards sent back to his diocese.
Political Women, Vol. 2 (of 2)|Sutherland Menzies
Other unpublished 433 works are a cantata, two arias with orchestral accompaniment, and a rhapsody for the piano.
Contemporary American Composers|Rupert Hughes

British Dictionary definitions for arias

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

Culture definitions for arias

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.