op ‧ e ‧ ra /ˈɒp ə rə $ ˈɑː-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Italian ; Origin: Latin , 'works' , plural of opus ; ⇨ ↑ opus ]
1 . [countable] a musical play in which all of the words are sung ⇨ operetta :
We go to the opera (=go to a performance of opera) regularly.
an opera singer
2 . [uncountable] these plays considered as a form of art
—operatic /ˌɒpəˈrætɪk◂ $ ˌɑː-/ adjective :
operatic performances
—operatically /-kli/ adverb
⇨ ↑ grand opera , ↑ soap opera