opera

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A building designed for the performance of such works; an opera house.

   “I don't mean all of your friends—only a small proportion—which, however, connects your circle with that deadly, idle, brainless bunch—the insolent chatterers at the opera, the gorged dowagers,[…], the jewelled animals whose moral code is the code of the barnyard—!"

2. 2
   noun

   a building where musical dramas are performed

3. 3
   noun

   a drama set to music

4. 4
   noun

   A theatrical work, combining drama, music, song and sometimes dance.

5. 5
   noun

   The score for such a work.

6. 6
   noun

   The genre of such works, the art of composing operas.

7. 7
   noun

   A company dedicated to performing such works.

8. 8
   noun

   Any showy, melodramatic or unrealistic production resembling an opera.

Etymology

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