operetta

[ op-uh-ret-uh ]

/ ˌɒp əˈrɛt ə /

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noun

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

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Origin of operetta

1760–70; <Italian, diminutive of operaopera¹

OTHER WORDS FROM operetta

op·er·et·tist, noun

Words nearby operetta

opercle, operculate, operculitis, operculum, opere citato, operetta, operon, operose, opgefok, Ophelia, Opheltes

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use operetta in a sentence

Sharp did lots of school plays, which led to a role in amateur operetta, then professional pantomime.
The Brit Who Stormed Broadway|Tim Teeman|December 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Inwardly he cursed the creation of theaters, the French operetta, and vowed to get revenge on Pelaez at the first opportunity.
The Reign of Greed|Jose Rizal
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
To quote any of the songs in this operetta would be very unfair to Dickens.
Dickens|Adolphus William Ward

Has he ever tried to run away since the night of the operetta?
Marjorie Dean, High School Junior|Pauline Lester
She grew grave with the thought that the operetta would have to be postponed.
Marjorie Dean, High School Junior|Pauline Lester

British Dictionary definitions for operetta

operetta

/ (ˌɒpəˈrɛtə) /

noun

a type of comic or light-hearted opera

Derived forms of operetta

operettist, 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

Cultural 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.