opera glasses

American  

[op-er-uh glas-iz, glah-siz, op-ruh] / ˈɒp ər ə ˌglæs ɪz, ˌglɑ sɪz, ˈɒp rə /

Often opera glass

plural noun

1. a small, low-power pair of binoculars for use at plays, concerts, and the like.

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opera glasses British  

plural noun

1. small low-powered binoculars used by audiences in theatres and opera houses

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Etymology

Origin of opera glasses

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

People do like screens and close-ups, which make opera glasses obsolete.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2024

The opera glasses, more of a joke, are hardly needed - the front line is visible without them.

From Washington Times • Jul. 7, 2022

The opera glasses, more of a joke, are hardly needed — the front line is visible without them.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 6, 2022

The classic three-camera setup mimicked the movement of the audience’s roving eye, perhaps aided with a pair of opera glasses.

From New York Times • Sep. 4, 2020

They sat up straighter in their seats and took out their opera glasses so as not to miss any of the action.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood