soap opera

American  

[op-er-uh, op-ruh] / ˈɒp ər ə, ˈɒp rə /

noun

1. a radio or television series depicting the interconnected lives of many characters often in a sentimental, melodramatic way.

---

soap opera British  

noun

1. a serialized drama, usually dealing with domestic themes and characterized by sentimentality, broadcast on radio or television

---

soap opera Idioms  

1. 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.

2. 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]

---

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

No soap opera can beat the Bible when it comes to mess.

From Salon

People will spend a solid chunk of their lives in hyper-personalized, persistent imaginary constructs, like long-running soap operas or television series.

From The Wall Street Journal

He is the master of the manifest destiny soap opera, after all.

From Salon

P&G sees microdramas as a natural extension of soap operas, which it largely created in the 1930s by sponsoring and producing shows to promote its household products, a spokeswoman said.

From The Wall Street Journal

A Chicago native, Runyon made her television debut as Sally Frame in the long-running soap opera “Another World.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• melodrama
• serial
• soap