operetta
5
7.3
- noun
- /ˌɑːpəˈrɛtə/
:
opereta
- We enjoyed an evening of music and comedy at the operetta featuring lively songs and dialogue.
- Sullivan operetta
- Gilbert & Sullivan operettas
- Viennese operetta
Examples
-
- Like in a Viennese operetta, the young prince falls in love with the waitress at the rathskeller, and the prime minister is sent to buy her off.
-
It's from the new operetta at the gaiety.
-
Hey, how does this operetta end?
-
LAURA: The operetta the senior class put on.
-
You look perfect for our new operetta.
-
Technically it's an operetta, but it's really--
-
I'll have you know this is an extremely modern operetta.
-
And when I returned, I was sent, by way of apology, with the nurse to see an operetta.
Fiction book (1993) -
That's a good subject for an operetta.
Fiction book (1996) -
Then a vocalist sang an aria from the operetta Silva.
Fiction book (1993)
Synonyms
1
5.0
A stage show with singing and spoken lines that is funny and ends happily
1
5.3
A short, funny musical play with singing and a light story
A short funny opera with some spoken words and a happy ending
A funny musical play with singing and talking that ends happily
A French musical play with songs, talking parts, and a happy ending
A light, funny Italian opera with lively music
How Light
- Archaic
23
9.5
5
7.3
- Archaic
18
8.6
206
3.0
267
4.2
1
5.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word operetta comes from the Italian opera ('work' or musical show) and the small ending -etta ('little'), so it literally means 'little opera'. That's why an operetta is a short, light kind of opera, often with spoken dialogue and catchy songs.