opera
nounnouncommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈɒp.ə.ɹə//
- United Kingdom//ˈɒp.ɹə//
- Canada//ˈɑp.ə.ɹə//
- Canada//ˈɑ.pɚ.ə//
- Canada//ˈɑ.pɹə//
A theatrical work, combining drama, music, song and sometimes dance.
noun
- 1
A theatrical work, combining drama, music, song and sometimes dance.
- 2
The score for such a work.
- 3
The genre of such works, the art of composing operas.
- 4
A building designed for the performance of such works; an opera house.
“I don't mean all of your friends—only a small proportion—which, however, connects your circle with that deadly, idle, brainless bunch—the insolent chatterers at the opera, the gorged dowagers,[…], the jewelled animals whose moral code is the code of the barnyard—!"
- 5
A company dedicated to performing such works.
- 6
Any showy, melodramatic or unrealistic production resembling an opera.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian opera. Doublet of oeuvre, opus, and ure.
noun
- 1
Also a form of opusplural of opus; a collection of work.
Etymology
From Latin opera, plural of opus.
Forms
- plural
- operas, opere
opera · A theatrical work, combining drama, music, song and sometimes dance.
operate · To perform a work or labour; to exert power or strength,…operated · Operated by the means specified e.g. a battery-operated toy.operating · In operation; that operates.