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

• corn
• goo
• mush
• schmaltz
• schmalz
• sludge
• slush
• sorghum

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

The former soap opera star was born in South Africa on Jan. 7, 1973 and starred as Bienkie Naudé Hartman on Egoli: Place of Gold, a popular drama in the country, before landing her role on All My Children. —Esme Mazzeo, Peoplemag, 21 July 2024

Ron Carlivati, who has served as head writer for the past seven years, is parting ways with the iconic soap opera, our sister site Deadline reports. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 19 July 2024

Go ahead and start dressing like a soap opera villain so you’ll be prepared when you’re struck with the urge to behave absolutely deviously. —Jennifer Culp, Them, 15 July 2024

Doug Sheehan, the actor who made his name as a soap opera star and went on to play TV dads on beloved '90s shows such as Clueless and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, died June 29 in Big Horn, Wyo. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 July 2024

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