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opéra bouffe

noun

op·​éra bouffe ˈō-pā-rä-ˈbüf How to pronounce opéra bouffe (audio)
ˈä-p(ə-)rə-
: satirical comic opera

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian opera buffa

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of opéra bouffe was in 1868

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Opéra bouffe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/op%C3%A9ra%20bouffe. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.

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