opera

1 of 2

plural of opus

opera

2 of 2

noun

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)

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

His work of fiction, SUM, is an international bestseller published in 33 languages and turned into two operas. — Big Think, 6 Aug. 2026

From Max Reinhardt’s Hollywood spectacles to today’s experimental opera, Salzburg and Los Angeles share a century of artistic cross-pollination. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Aug. 2026

Until someone opens, say, the Maria Callas Ayurvedic Center, this will likely remain the world’s only hotel named after a long-dead opera singer. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

Hawn, once again, wore something black and bedazzled, slipping into a glittery gown that featured a figure-hugging silhouette, floor-grazing skirt, sheer halter neckline, and matching opera gloves. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

Noun

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing opera

• comic-opera
• grand opera
• horse opera
• light opera
• opera buffa
• opera glass
• opera hat
• opera house
• opera seria
• soap opera
• space opera
• the opera

Kids Definition

opera

1 of 2

plural 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

ˌäp-ə-ˈrat-ik

adjective