op·era
ˈä-p(ə-)rə 
Southern also ˈä-prē
1
: a drama set to music and made up of vocal pieces with orchestral accompaniment and orchestral overtures (see overture entry 1 sense 2) and interludes (see interlude sense 2)
2
: the score (see score entry 1 sense 6) of a musical drama
The composer finished the opera in just six weeks.
3
: the performance of an opera
The opera was delayed a half hour due to technical difficulties.
also
: a house where operas are performed
We'll meet you at the opera at 7 p.m.
Examples of opera in a Sentence
Noun
I am going to an opera tonight.
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 23 Apr. 2024
At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2024, Swift wore a white strapless Schiaparelli gown with a thigh-high slit and structured bodice, accessorizing with black opera gloves and layered necklaces.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024
Oscars weekend was on the horizon, and Valencia would end up working with Adore the Couture to get a pair of vintage couture silk Chanel opera gloves to supermodel Irina Shayk for the Vanity Fair Oscars party.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Abstract, loosely narrated and written more for concert halls than opera houses, oratorios are more difficult than opera to stage persuasively, which in itself is immensely difficult.
—Joshua Barone Lila Barth, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Its mission also includes providing training and performance opportunities for early-career opera singers.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Catán’s opera, inspired by the magical realism of author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, is one of her top-of-the-list favorites.
—Georgia Rowe, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
The singing and the playing were more than enough to fill in this charming opera’s several gaps.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead Furious Stasis Verdi’s sprawling opera La Forza del Destino draws its power from asymmetry, arbitrary juxtapositions, and extreme situations.
—The New York Review of Books, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
Murder usually throws a wrench into anyone’s creative process, but all that carnage helps William finally finish his ambitious prog-rock opera.
—Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 23 Apr. 2024
At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2024, Swift wore a white strapless Schiaparelli gown with a thigh-high slit and structured bodice, accessorizing with black opera gloves and layered necklaces.
—Catherine Santino, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024
Oscars weekend was on the horizon, and Valencia would end up working with Adore the Couture to get a pair of vintage couture silk Chanel opera gloves to supermodel Irina Shayk for the Vanity Fair Oscars party.
—Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Abstract, loosely narrated and written more for concert halls than opera houses, oratorios are more difficult than opera to stage persuasively, which in itself is immensely difficult.
—Joshua Barone Lila Barth, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024
Its mission also includes providing training and performance opportunities for early-career opera singers.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Catán’s opera, inspired by the magical realism of author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, is one of her top-of-the-list favorites.
—Georgia Rowe, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
The singing and the playing were more than enough to fill in this charming opera’s several gaps.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead Furious Stasis Verdi’s sprawling opera La Forza del Destino draws its power from asymmetry, arbitrary juxtapositions, and extreme situations.
—The New York Review of Books, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opera.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to opera
Dictionary Entries Near opera
Cite this Entry
“Opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opera. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
opera
1 of 2plural of opus
opera
2 of 2 noun
op·era
ˈäp-(ə-)rə
1
: a play in which usually the entire text is sung with orchestral accompaniment
2
: the performance of an opera
operatic
adjective
ˌäp-ə-ˈrat-ik
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