operetta

[ op-uh-ret-uh ]

/ ˌɒp əˈrɛt ə /

noun

a short opera, usually of a light and amusing character.

Nearby words

Origin of operetta

1760–70; < Italian, diminutive of opera opera¹

Related formsop·er·et·tist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for operetta

He acted upon it, and when he had been some months in Milan, wrote an operetta, which had a very favourable reception.
Frederic Chopin, v. 1 (of 2)|Moritz Karasowski
The slight voice of the ordinary singer of operetta is insufficient for the part.
Musical Memories|Camille Saint-Sans
Die Jger und das Waldmdchen, operetta in one act, music by Duni.
The Life of Ludwig van Beethoven, Volume I (of 3)|Alexander Wheelock Thayer
I'm surprised to hear that she is going to enter the try-out, considering it's Laurie's operetta.
Marjorie Dean|Pauline Lester

If art consists in that, then is a ballet or an operetta art?
The Kingdom of God is Within You, What is Art|Lyof N. Tolstoi

British Dictionary definitions for operetta

operetta

/ (ˌɒpəˈrɛtə) /

noun

a type of comic or light-hearted opera

Derived Formsoperettist, noun

Word Origin for operetta

C18: from Italian: a small opera 1

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

Word Origin and History for operetta

operetta

"light opera," 1775, from Italian operetta, diminutive of opera.

Culture definitions for operetta

operetta

Comic or lighthearted operas of the kind written by Gilbert and Sullivan. Operettas generally have a substantial amount of spoken (not sung) dialogue.