space opera

noun

: a futuristic melodramatic fantasy involving space travelers and extraterrestrial beings

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web In 1980, Hodges directed the glitzy space opera Flash Gordon. Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 21 Dec. 2022 It’s got the characters of a noir film, Jackie Chan action sequences, music out of a New York jazz club, and the superstructure of a space opera. Cecilia D'anastasio, Wired, 19 Nov. 2021 The first of the trilogy burst upon the pop culture scene like fireworks—a rollicking space opera cowboy film with an epic battle between good and evil. Allison Keyes, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Jan. 2023 This cast of superheroes and supervillains populated a sprawling cosmic space opera of his own devising. Chris Campion, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2022 Zack Snyder heads to Netflix with a space opera about a young woman (played by Sofia Boutella) who is seeking warriors who can help protect her peaceful colony. Shannon Carlin, Time, 16 Dec. 2022 Dune is a visual feast and a space opera tour de force that should please fans of the novel despite some small changes and its missing final act. Erik Kain, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2021 This multiverse serves to expand the scope and the stakes of a space opera; Moorcock later used the concept as a metaphysical device and a way to unify his novels. Stephanie Burt, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2022 James Gunn gained worldwide recognition after helming the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s highly successful Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, a space opera featuring characters obscure even to many comic fans. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'space opera.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of space opera was in 1941

Dictionary Entries Near space opera

Cite this Entry

“Space opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/space%20opera. Accessed 27 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

space opera

noun
: science fiction that deals with fantastic situations involving space travelers and beings from other worlds
Etymology

from space and opera, following the pattern of soap opera, horse opera see Word History at horse opera

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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