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

2 of 2

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
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.
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
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 In composer Derrick Wang's comic opera, Scalia is on trial in a cosmic court of justice; his friend Ginsburg comes to his aid and comfort. — Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2025 Sometimes the Chief Executive and his inner circle resemble characters in a comic opera. — Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026 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 novel and the musical both have roots in popular 19th-century entertainment—vaudevilles, comic operas, and newspaper serials. — Graham Robb, The Atlantic, 9 June 2025 In a moment straight out of comic opera, National Security Council aides brought a goodwill chocolate cake to Tehran during a secret diplomatic mission in May 1986. — Gregory F. Treverton, The Conversation, 25 June 2025

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

Rhymes for comic-opera

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Browse Nearby Words

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comic-opera
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Cite this Entry

“Comic-opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comic-opera. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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