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opera
1[ op-er-uh, op-ruh ]
/ ˈɒp ər ə, ˈɒp rə /
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noun
an extended dramatic composition, in which all parts are sung to instrumental accompaniment, that usually includes arias, choruses, and recitatives, and that sometimes includes ballet.Compare comic opera, grand opera.
the form or branch of musical and dramatic art represented by such compositions.
the score or the words of such a composition.
a performance of one: to go to the opera.
(sometimes initial capital letter) an opera house or resident company: the Paris Opera.
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Origin of opera
11635–45; <Italian: work, opera <Latin, plural of opus service, work, a work, opus
Words nearby opera
open verdict, open-web, open with, openwork, OPer., opera, operable, opéra bouffe, opera buffa, opera cloak, opéra comique
Other definitions for opera (2 of 2)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use opera in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for opera (1 of 2)
opera1
/ (ˈɒpərə, ˈɒprə) /
noun
an extended dramatic work in which music constitutes a dominating feature, either consisting of separate recitatives, arias, and choruses, or having a continuous musical structure
the branch of music or drama represented by such works
the score, libretto, etc, of an opera
a theatre where opera is performed
Word Origin for opera
C17: via Italian from Latin: work, a work, plural of opus work
British Dictionary definitions for opera (2 of 2)
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
Cultural definitions for opera
opera
A musical drama that is totally or mostly sung. Aïda, Carmen, and Don Giovanni are some celebrated operas. A light, comic opera is often called an operetta.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.