Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
arietta

arietta

9.9
A short, simple song in an opera for one singer
  • noun
  • /ˌɛrɪˈɛtə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : arietta
  • The soprano sang an exquisite arietta near the end of the second act.

Examples

  • The concert included an arietta that captivated the entire audience.

  • Mozart composed a charming arietta for the young singer.

  • The soprano sang a beautiful arietta during the performance.

  • Did you hear the arietta in the second act?

  • Mozart composed a charming arietta for the young singer.

  • The concert included an arietta that captivated the entire audience.

  • The soprano sang an exquisite arietta near the end of the second act.

Synonyms

aria
vsarietta
11 8.1

A long, fancy song for one singer in an opera

is shorter and simpler, lacking long elaborate form
arioso
vsarietta
  • Specialized
9.9

A short sung passage more like a song than speech

is a short simple song with clearer formal structure

How Long

opera
267 4.2
cantata
  • Specialized
4 8.2
aria
11 8.1
arietta
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

arietta singular
ariettas plural

Morphology

arietta = aria (semi-transparent) = aria + etta

Formally 'aria' + the Italian diminutive suffix '-etta' yields 'little aria'; the meaning is predictable for learners who know 'aria', but '-etta' is a foreign, non-productive suffix in English so full transparency is limited.

Etymology

The word arietta comes from Italian: it is a small form of aria ('air' or 'song') with the ending -etta meaning 'small'. So an arietta is a short, simple aria, a little solo song in an opera.