ENGLISH
REFERENCE

opera

n.
US //ˈɑpɹə// UK //ˈɒpəɹɐ// opera
  1. 1 musical drama (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Music

    a play where the actors sing the words instead of speaking them, accompanied by an orchestra.

    a theatrical work combining drama, music, and song, typically performed with an orchestra and elaborate costumes.

    Example

    We went to see a famous opera by Mozart at the city theatre.

    Example

    The composer spent three years refining the score for his latest opera, ensuring the vocal melodies perfectly captured the tragic nature of the libretto.
    • musical drama
  2. 2 the genre or art form (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Music

    the style of music and theatre that involves singing stories.

    the art form or genre of composing and performing musical dramas.

    Example

    She has loved opera since she was a young girl.

    Example

    Scholars often debate the evolution of Italian opera and its influence on modern musical theatre structures.

  3. 3 the building or company (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Theatre

    a building where operas are performed, or the group of people who perform them.

    a physical venue designed for operatic performances or a professional company dedicated to the genre.

    Example

    The local opera is looking for new singers for the winter season.

    Example

    The city's historic opera underwent a massive renovation to improve the acoustics for the resident company's upcoming tour.
  4. 4 plural of opus (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Academic Formal Music

    the plural form of the word 'opus', meaning a collection of musical or artistic works.

    the Latin plural of 'opus', referring to a collection of creative works, often numbered by a composer.

    Example

    The professor studied the early opera of the great German composers.

    Example

    The catalogue includes the complete opera of the artist, spanning his early sketches to his final oil paintings.

    Usage

    In modern English, 'opuses' is also an acceptable plural, but 'opera' remains standard in formal academic contexts.
Etymology 1

Borrowed from Italian opera. Doublet of oeuvre, opus, and ure.

Etymology 2

From Latin opera, plural of opus.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms2 entries

Last updated June 19, 2026