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

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

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.