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

An icy blue halter dress can be dressed up with kitten heels and glitzy jewelry for your ceremony, and re-styled with fresh accessories for a black-tie event like a gala or an opera opening months from now. —Rosie Jarman, Vogue, 29 May 2026

Here are some productions that fans of new and classic opera can get excited about. —Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 28 May 2026

On June 11 in London, the auction house will present a Cartier Belle Époque seed pearl and diamond sautoir necklace from the personal collection of the Australian opera singer, Dame Nellie Melba. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 May 2026

In a New York Times piece on trans opera singers, some talk about finding their new voices. —Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 28 May 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