# opera

/ˈɑpɹə/ (US) · /ˈɒpəɹɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/opera
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. musical drama

noun · CEFR B1

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

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

- We went to see a famous opera by Mozart at the city theatre.
- The composer spent three years refining the score for his latest opera, ensuring the vocal melodies perfectly captured the tragic nature of the libretto.

### 2. the genre or art form

noun · CEFR B1

the style of music and theatre that involves singing stories.

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

- She has loved opera since she was a young girl.
- Scholars often debate the evolution of Italian opera and its influence on modern musical theatre structures.

### 3. the building or company

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The local opera is looking for new singers for the winter season.
- The city's historic opera underwent a massive renovation to improve the acoustics for the resident company's upcoming tour.

### 4. plural of opus

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Formal

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

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

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

## Examples

- We are going to the opera to see a famous performance.
- The city's historic opera house is famous for its incredible acoustics and grand red velvet curtains.
- While some newcomers find the length of a traditional opera daunting, the emotional power of the final aria often justifies the hours of narrative buildup.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.