opera

Definition of opera

(Entry 1 of 2)

plural of opus

opera

noun

op·era | \ˈä-p(ə-)rə,

Southern also ˈä-prē\

Definition of opera (Entry 2 of 2)

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 3) specifically : grand opera Beethoven composed only one opera.

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: Noun

Through the early 1950s, the schedule was short and dominated by classical music, opera and ballet, with each season opened by an Easter sunrise service. — Christopher Reynolds, latimes.com, "Sitting in the palm of nature: The unique energy — and performances — of Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre," 12 July 2018 In addition to hosting touring companies, the city’s symphony orchestra and opera and ballet companies all call it home. — Richard Rubin, kansascity, "The New York Times came to KC and fell in love with the streetcar," 6 July 2018 The Pasadena resident who enjoyed collecting books and reading, was also a classical music, opera and ballet fan. — Frederick N. Rasmussen, baltimoresun.com, "Gerald Fischman, Capital Gazette editoral writer, was known and respected for his sharp wit and command of facts," 6 July 2018 That gave me the opportunity to think about the opera and how to express it in physical space. — Zoë Madonna, BostonGlobe.com, "Jamie Bernstein, her ‘Famous Father,’ and nothing to hide," 5 July 2018 The neighborhood’s pre-opera and symphony crowds flocked to Corridor. — Justin Phillips, SFChronicle.com, "SF restaurants struggle for balance in prices, service as wage hike arrives," 29 June 2018 Schmitt will be singing songs in Hebrew and Yiddish and will team with Nugmanov in performing internationally known songs, including compositions in classical music and opera in the concert. — Marvin Glassman, Jewish Journal, "Cantor, comics headline entertainment options in Palm Beach County," 22 June 2018 Carol also loved theater, opera and classical music, and enjoyed seeing many Broadway shows, as well as performances at the Yale Repertory Theater and Tanglewood. — Hartford Courant, courant.com, "Carol R. Stone," 20 June 2018 Each year, the Maitland theater screens filmed performances from world-class opera and ballet companies. — Matthew J. Palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Enzian screens ballet, opera in summer series," 9 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'opera.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for opera

Noun

borrowed from Italian, "work, labor, artistic production, drama set to music (originally short for opera musicale, opera in musica)," going back to Latin, "activity, effort, attention, work," collective derivative from oper-, opus "work, effort, product of labor" — more at opus

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