libretto

[ li-bret-oh ]

/ lɪˈbrɛt oʊ /

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See synonyms for libretto on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural li·bret·tos, li·bret·ti

[li-bret-ee]. /lɪˈbrɛt i/.

the text or words of an opera or similar extended musical composition.

a book or booklet containing such a text.

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Origin of libretto

1735–45; <Italian, diminutive of libro book <Latin liber;see -et

Words nearby libretto

library table, librate, libration, libratory, librettist, libretto, Libreville, libri, libriform, Librium, Libya

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

How to use libretto in a sentence

The fiercely stubborn Fred Hoyle had a darker, more cynical wit, with an artistic side that showed through in science fiction novels and even the libretto of an opera.
‘Flashes of Creation’ recounts the Big Bang theory’s origin story|Christopher Crockett|August 24, 2021|Science News
I own a CD, have heard it, and have read the libretto three or four times.
Rudy Giuliani: Why I Protested ‘The Death of Klinghoffer’|Rudy Giuliani|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ideas for a novel, the notes I took when working with a composer on the libretto for an opera I did in 2008.
Amy Tan: How I Write|Noah Charney|December 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Watching the court appearance was, to the untrained eye, like watching a German opera without a libretto.
How the West Memphis Three Got Out|Gerald L. Shargel|August 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST

As the defense takes center stage tomorrow, lead attorney Jose Baez has already written the legal libretto he must follow.
Did They Get Her?|Diane Dimond|June 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
All this role-model stuff has always been garbage and ramped-up sportswriter libretto.
The Vindication of LeBron James|Buzz Bissinger|June 1, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The tenor dies; the prima donna appears to do the same, but the libretto consoles you by declaring that she only swoons.
Physiology of The Opera|John H. Swaby (AKA "Scrici")
He was equally delighted with the music and libretto of Serovs opera Judith, which he heard in 1863.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
In any case he received the first part of the libretto from Ostrovsky in March or April.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
A few days ago I was lunching with Ostrovsky, and he proposed, entirely of his own accord, to write a libretto for me.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky
I would give anything just now to get a good historical libretto—not Russian.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky

British Dictionary definitions for libretto

libretto

/ (lɪˈbrɛtəʊ) /

noun plural -tos or -ti (-tiː)

a text written for and set to music in an opera, etc

Word Origin for libretto

C18: from Italian, diminutive of libro book

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

libretto

Origin of libretto

Words nearby libretto

Words related to libretto

How to use libretto in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for libretto

Word Origin for libretto