noun
operetta
o-puh-REH-tuh
Operetta (noun) means a short, light opera with a comic or romantic story and spoken dialogue between musical numbers. Example: “Gilbert and Sullivan wrote several beloved operettas.”
noun
1
A short, light opera with a comic or romantic story and spoken dialogue between musical numbers.
"Gilbert and Sullivan wrote several beloved operettas."
How to use operetta
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA lighter, funnier cousin of full-blown opera, mixing songs with spoken scenes.
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Word forms
- Plural
- operettas
Fill the gap
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Gilbert and Sullivan wrote several beloved _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian operetta, literally "little opera," from opera plus the diminutive ending "-etta."
Synonyms
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light opera
Rhymes for operetta
See all rhymes for operetta →Frequently asked questions
What does “operetta” mean?
The word “operetta” means a short, light opera with a comic or romantic story and spoken dialogue between musical numbers. In plain terms, a lighter, funnier cousin of full-blown opera, mixing songs with spoken scenes.
How do you pronounce “operetta”?
“Operetta” is pronounced o-puh-REH-tuh (/ɒpəˈɹɛtə/ in IPA).
How do you use “operetta” in a sentence?
Here is “operetta” used in a sentence: “Gilbert and Sullivan wrote several beloved operettas.”
What part of speech is “operetta”?
“Operetta” is a noun.
Where does the word “operetta” come from?
The word “operetta” comes from Italian. Borrowed from Italian operetta, literally "little opera," from opera plus the diminutive ending "-etta.".
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