comic-opera

1 of 2

adjective

com·​ic-op·​era ˈkä-mik-ˈä-p(ə-)rə How to pronounce comic-opera (audio)
: not to be taken seriously
a comic-opera regime

comic opera

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noun

: opera of a humorous character with a happy ending and usually some spoken dialogue

Examples of comic-opera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Among them was the comic-opera singer Francis Wilson, the original of two previous owners of the Howards’ apartment. Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 30 May 2026
Noun
Twentieth-century composers like Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein shaped this art form, built on the comic opera and vaudeville, into something special. Abraham Swee, USA Today, 29 June 2026 The final movement of the symphony runs at a gallop, traversing scenes like the overture of a comic opera while the glockenspiel takes the limelight. Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for comic-opera

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1891, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of comic-opera was in 1706

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Cite this Entry

“Comic-opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comic-opera. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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