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space opera

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

noun

  1. a television or radio drama or motion picture that is a science-fiction adventure story.

space opera British  

noun

  1. a science fiction drama, such as a film or television programme, esp one dealing with interplanetary flight

"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

Etymology

Origin of space opera

First recorded in 1945–50

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.

It's a genre of movie he is no stranger to, having starred in Neil Armstrong biography First Man in 2018, whilst he is also set to appear in the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter space opera.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Invoking George Lucas' multi-generational appealing space opera indicated a level of seriousness about world-building and expansion.

From Salon • Jul. 19, 2024

“That’s what I love about it. It’s like a space opera, western, samurai series, but at the core of it, emotionally and fundamentally, is always this compelling story about love and loss and family.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2024

Sofia Boutella and Djimon Hounsou lead the ensemble cast in Snyder’s “Star War” riff space opera.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 14, 2024

Folks need to get their space opera life right.

From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.