Skip to main content
light opera

light opera

1 5.3
A short, funny musical play with singing and a light story
  • noun
  • /laɪt ˈoʊpərə/
translation icon : opereta
  • Last summer, they attended a production of light opera, which combined singing with a funny storyline.

This one, I'm going to need some sad music, maybe an opera, a light opera in the background.

Examples

  • This one, I'm going to need some sad music, maybe an opera, a light opera in the background.

  • But a month after the war's end, as we approached Dubrovnik in twilight, the battle for Kosovo was as forgotten as last spring's light opera.

    Academic text (2000)
  • The theater will showcase a lively light opera that delights audiences with its humor and charm.

  • She spent the evening enjoying a delightful light opera featuring catchy songs and amusing characters.

Synonyms

operetta
vslight opera
5 7.3

A short, light stage musical with spoken parts and songs that is often funny

is a broader comic musical category not only limited to short pieces
comic opera
vslight opera
1 5.0

A stage show with singing and spoken lines that is funny and ends happily

is a wider category that includes similar comic musical works beyond those features
bouffe
vslight opera
  • Specialized
9.9

A short funny opera with some spoken words and a happy ending

is the more general name for light comic musical works without that label
opera bouffe
vslight opera
9.9

A funny musical play with singing and talking that ends happily

is the general comic musical type without special emphasis on satire
opera comique
vslight opera
  • Specialized
9.1

A French musical play with songs, talking parts, and a happy ending

is the broader comic musical category not tied to a single national origin

Antonyms

1 5.9

A large serious musical show in which all the words are sung

How Serious

grand opera
1 5.9
light opera
1 5.3
operetta
5 7.3

Surface Forms

light opera singular
light operas plural

Morphology

light + opera

The meaning 'a less serious or comic opera' is directly derivable from combining 'light' (cheerful, not heavy/serious) with 'opera' (a staged sung drama). This is a straightforward adjective + noun composition common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's sense.

Etymology

Light opera comes from the idea of a light meaning 'not heavy' opera. Imagine a short, bright show with jokes and easy songs. So it means an opera that is playful and less serious than big, serious operas.