noun
opera
OP-uh-ruh
noun
1
A theatrical work in which the story is told mainly through singing, with orchestral music.
"They saw a production of "La Bohème" at the opera."
"Verdi composed some of the most famous operas ever written."
2
A building where such performances are staged; an opera house.
"The Sydney Opera House is instantly recognizable by its shape."
How to Use Opera
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA staged musical drama that is sung rather than spoken, or the venue where such shows happen.
Common pairings
go to the opera
opera singer
opera house
Word Forms
operas plural, opere plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “opera”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
They saw a production of "La Bohème" at the _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian opera, literally "work" — the same root that gives us "opus" and "operate."