soap opera
Americannoun
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soap operas
plural
noun
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A radio or television serial with stock characters in domestic dramas that are noted for being sentimental and melodramatic. For example, She just watches soap operas all day long . This term originated in the mid-1930s and was so called because the sponsors of the earliest such radio shows were often soap manufacturers.
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Real-life situation resembling one that might occur in a soap opera, as in She just goes on and on about her various medical and family problems, one long soap opera . [1940s]
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of soap opera
An Americanism dating back to 1935–40; so called because soap manufacturers were among the original sponsors of such programs
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“All of a sudden you had an added soap opera narrative of leaving climbers behind to die; people putting Sherpa climbers in danger.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026
Bush is also seen on camera telling “Days of Our Lives” soap opera actress Arianne Zucker to embrace Trump just after the exchange.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
Tune into a smartphone soap opera: Are we entering a new phase of television?
From Slate ● Sep. 16, 2026
For best drama actress, Rosen says it will be a race between "Pluribus" star Rhea Seehorn and Keri Russell for political soap opera "The Diplomat."
From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026
Bobbette yelled from the kitchen, where she sat watching a soap opera.
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
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