opera
1
[ op-er-uh, op-ruh ]
/ ˈɒp ər ə, ˈɒp rə /
noun
an extended dramatic composition, in which all parts are sung to instrumental accompaniment, that usually includes arias, choruses, and recitatives, and that sometimes includes ballet.
Compare comic opera, grand opera.
the form or branch of musical and dramatic art represented by such compositions.
the score or the words of such a composition.
a performance of one: to go to the opera.
(sometimes initial capital letter)
an opera house or resident company: the Paris Opera.
Origin of opera
1
1635–45; < Italian: work, opera < Latin, plural of
opus service, work, a work,
opus
Words nearby opera
Definition for opera (2 of 3)
Definition for opera (3 of 3)
opus
[ oh-puh s ]
/ ˈoʊ pəs /
noun, plural o·pus·es or especially for 1, 2, o·pe·ra [oh-per-uh, op-er-uh] /ˈoʊ pər ə, ˈɒp ər ə/.
a musical composition.
one of the compositions of a composer, usually numbered according to the order of publication.
a literary work or composition, as a book: Have you read her latest opus? Abbreviation: op.
Origin of opus
1695–1705; < Latin: work, labor, a work
Example sentences from the Web for opera
British Dictionary definitions for opera (1 of 3)
opera
1
/ (ˈɒpərə, ˈɒprə) /
noun
an extended dramatic work in which music constitutes a dominating feature, either consisting of separate recitatives, arias, and choruses, or having a continuous musical structure
the branch of music or drama represented by such works
the score, libretto, etc, of an opera
a theatre where opera is performed
Word Origin for opera
C17: via Italian from Latin: work, a work, plural of
opus work
British Dictionary definitions for opera (2 of 3)
British Dictionary definitions for opera (3 of 3)
opus
/ (ˈəʊpəs, ˈɔp-) /
noun plural opuses or opera (ˈɒpərə)
an artistic composition, esp a musical work
(often capital)
(usually followed by a number) a musical composition by a particular composer, generally catalogued in order of publication
Beethoven's opus 61 is his violin concerto
Abbreviation:
op.
Word Origin for opus
C18: from Latin: a work; compare Sanskrit
apas work
Cultural definitions for opera
opera
A musical drama that is totally or mostly sung. Aïda, Carmen, and Don Giovanni are some celebrated operas. A light, comic opera is often called an operetta.