opera Definition

opera¹
noun operas

1. A dramatic work set to music, in which the singers are usually accompanied by an orchestra.

Thesaurus: music drama, music theatre, operetta, musical.
2. The score or libretto, etc of such a work.
3. Operas as an art form.
4. A theatre where opera is performed.
5. A company that performs opera.

Derivative: operatic

Relating to or like opera.

Dramatic or overly theatrical; exaggerated.

Derivative: operatically
adverb

Etymology: 17c: Italian, from Latin, meaning ‘work' or ‘a work', from opus work.

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opera² opus

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opus
noun

opuses, opera
1. An artistic work, especially a musical composition, often used with a number to show the order in which a composer's works were written or catalogued.

Thesaurus: composition, creation, piece, production, work, brainchild.

Etymology: 18c: Latin, meaning ‘work'.