operetta

[op-uh-ret-uh] /ˌɒp əˈrɛt ə/
noun
1.
a short opera, usually of a light and amusing character.
Origin
1760-70; < Italian, diminutive of opera opera1
Related forms
operettist, noun
Examples from the web for operetta
  • At one end, a television mounted high on the wall shows an operetta, without the sound.
  • For the operetta devotee, this production has some things to offer.
  • He specialized in operetta and the creative reworking of plots and melodies from pre-existing sources.
  • The school also attempted to make money using such techniques as operetta performances.
British Dictionary definitions for operetta

operetta

/ˌɒpəˈrɛtə/
noun
1.
a type of comic or light-hearted opera
Derived Forms
operettist, noun
Word Origin
C18: from Italian: a small opera1
Word Origin and History for operetta
n.

"light opera," 1775, from Italian operetta, diminutive of opera.

operetta in Culture

operetta definition


Comic or lighthearted operas of the kind written by Gilbert and Sullivan. Operettas generally have a substantial amount of spoken (not sung) dialogue.