soap opera

noun

1

a

: a serial drama performed originally on a daytime radio or television program and chiefly characterized by tangled interpersonal situations and melodramatic or sentimental treatment

b

: a series of real-life events resembling a soap opera

2

: the melodrama and sentimentality characteristic of a soap opera

… even cops need a little soap opera in their lives …

—Joseph Wambaugh

also : something (such as a novel) having such qualities

soap-operatic

ˈsōp-ˌä-pə-ˈra-tik 

adjective

Synonyms of soap opera

• sludge
• corn

Examples of soap opera in a Sentence

She loves to watch daytime soap operas.

the movie started out well, but quickly devolved into improbable soap opera

Recent Examples on the Web

Michael briefly followed in his adoptive parents' footsteps, embarking on a career in entertainment in the 1980s that ranged from a stint on the CBS political soap opera Capitol, to a part as a concierge in the primetime soap Falcon Crest, which starred Wyman. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026

Back in November, Jordan opened up to PEOPLE about how his soap opera past helped bring him to the next phase of his career. —Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

Okay, so that’s how this soap opera ends. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Jan. 2026

While people have often sought comfort in fantasy and escapism—as the popularity of romance novels and daytime soap operas attest—psychologists say that the way in which some people are using chatbots, and the blurring of the line between fantasy and real life, is unprecedented. —Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 26 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from its sponsorship by soap manufacturers

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

soap opera

noun

: a radio or television drama presented in a series of continuing stories and characters and intended to appeal to the emotions

Etymology

so called because the advertisers on these programs were usually soap manufacturers