comic opera

¹

noun

1. a diverting opera with spoken dialogue and a happy ending.

2. the tradition or genre of such operas.

comic-opera

²

[kom-ik-op-er-uh, -op-ruh]

adjective

1. comically vainglorious; having farcically self-important aspects.

   a comic-opera army, proud in its ceremonial splendor but inept on the battlefield.

comic opera

noun

1. a play largely set to music, employing comic effects or situations See also opéra bouffe opera buffa

Word History and Origins

Origin of comic opera¹

First recorded in 1905–10