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

Streep, 76, channeled Miranda Priestly by wearing a statement-making red cape coat from Givenchy by Sarah Burton's Fall 2026 collection, accessorized with black leather opera gloves, black Stuart Weitzman shoes, sparkling David Yurman jewelry and large black oversized glasses. —Staff Author, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026

One candidate is Elisabeth Röckel, a close friend of Beethoven’s who performed as a soprano in his opera Fidelio. —Brian Duignan, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026

Musical genres will range from opera and classical art songs to Mexican and Ukrainian popular songs. —La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

Think opera, art museums and coffeehouse culture — a true culturally rich destination. —Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 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