aria

noun

ˈär-ē-ə How to pronounce aria (audio)
plural arias also arie ˈär-ē-ˌā How to pronounce aria (audio)
Synonyms of aria
1
: air, melody, tune
specifically : an accompanied, elaborate melody sung (as in an opera) by a single voice
enjoyed the soprano's romantic aria
2
: a striking solo performance (as in a movie)
… Russell Crowe's performance in Gladiator was all about the physical stuff—it was a brute-force aria of fighting and flexing and unleashing hell …—Jeff Gordinier
3
: a written or spoken passage or text likened to a dramatic or emotional operatic solo
… a plainspoken but moving aria on the joys of rural living …—Lauren Collins

Examples of aria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The singers will perform their signature arias, followed by hors d’oeuvres, wine, and dessert with the artists. — Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 May 2026 Some of the greatest arias in the genre, performed flawlessly by Jonathan Tetelman. — Ben Crandell, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026 Ochoa’s snide speech about his privileged private school becomes a wrenching aria of desolation and need. — Steven Winn, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026 Once the audience is so onboard with Kyle after this intimate aria, Kaplan deflates that. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for aria

Word History

Etymology

Italian, literally, atmospheric air, modification of Latin aer

First Known Use

1723, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aria was in 1723

Rhymes for aria

See All Rhymes for aria

Browse Nearby Words

arhythmicity
aria
Aria
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Aria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aria. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

aria

noun
ˈär-ē-ə How to pronounce aria (audio)
: a song in an opera sung by a single voice

Geographical Definition

Aria

geographical name

ˈer-ē-ə How to pronounce Aria (audio)
ˈa-rē-ə, 
ə-ˈrī-ə
1
an eastern province of the ancient Persian Empire; district now in northwestern Afghanistan and eastern Iran
2
see herat

More from Merriam-Webster on aria

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for aria

Nglish: Translation of aria for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aria

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