English Explanatory Dictionary

space opera

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that emphasizes space travel, romantic adventure, and larger-than-life characters often set against vast exotic settings.
  2. A subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that uses serialization.
  3. A work or production in this style.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-space opera.wav

Word forms

space opera space operas

Etymology

Coined by American writer Wilson Tucker in 1941, modelled on horse opera (“western”) and soap opera, see quotations. Originally describing a specific, hackneyed science fiction writing style.

Related words

fantasy speculative fiction

Translations

Chinese Mandarin: 太空歌劇 /太空歌剧 Czech: vesmírná opera Czech: space opera Dutch: ruimteopera Estonian: kosmoseooper Finnish: avaruusooppera German: Weltraumoper German: Space Opera Hungarian: űropera Italian: epopea spaziale Polish: opera kosmiczna Polish: space opera Russian: косми́ческая о́пера Russian: космоо́пера Swedish: rymdopera Swedish: rymdsåpa
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