Opera Definition, Examples & Usage Guide

Meaning 1：musical drama (opera)

opera 🔊

/ˈɑːpərə/

A type of play where the story is told mostly through singing, with music from an orchestra and often elaborate costumes.

Opera singer performing on stage with orchestra

musical drama 🔊

➕

/ˈmjuːzɪkəl ˈdrɑːmə/

A form of theatre where the story is told through singing accompanied by an orchestra, often with elaborate costumes and sets.

📁 Category：Culture & History 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Italian 'opera' from Latin 'opera' (plural of 'opus' meaning 'work').

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'opera' as 'Op' (open) + 'Era' – open your ears to a new era of musical storytelling!

📖 Example

For their anniversary, they dressed up and went to see a classic opera about a tragic love story. 🔊 For their anniversary, they dressed up and went to see a classic opera about a tragic love story.

🔗 Collocations

go to the opera – attend an opera performance

opera house – a theater where operas are performed

opera singer – a vocalist trained for opera

🔄 Synonyms

musical drama (n.) – a dramatic performance set to music

lyric drama (n.) – a play in which music and singing are essential

operetta (n.) – a light opera, often with spoken dialogue

🚫 Antonyms

spoken drama (n.) – a play without singing

instrumental concert (n.) – a performance of music only, without theatrical singing

🌱 Derivatives

operatic (adj.) – relating to or characteristic of opera

operatically (adv.) – in a way that relates to opera

opera-goer (n.) – a person who regularly attends opera performances

📖 Cultural Story

'Opera' comes from Italian, literally 'work', from Latin 'opera' (plural of 'opus'). First used in 17th-century Italy for staged musical dramas, a revolutionary genre that spread worldwide.