soap opera

noun

1
a
: a serial drama performed originally on a daytime radio or television program and chiefly characterized by tangled interpersonal situations and melodramatic or sentimental treatment
b
: a series of real-life events resembling a soap opera
2
: the melodrama and sentimentality characteristic of a soap opera
even cops need a little soap opera in their livesJoseph Wambaugh
also : something (such as a novel) having such qualities
soap-operatic adjective

Examples of soap opera in a Sentence

She loves to watch daytime soap operas. the movie started out well, but quickly devolved into improbable soap opera
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.
Its daytime television soap operas and its prime-time dramas are templates of American originals. Jonny Steinberg, Time, 22 May 2025 Burton has played the mob boss Jason Morgan on the soap opera on and off since 1991, but briefly appeared as Drew Cain, Jason's identical twin, in photos and flashbacks from 2017-2019. EW.com, 19 May 2025 In her 2010 interview, Alexander looked back on the heady days of being a soap opera star. Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 11 May 2025 One thing is likely: This political soap opera is not over yet. Follow me on LinkedIn. Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for soap opera

Word History

Etymology

from its sponsorship by soap manufacturers

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of soap opera was in 1938

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Cite this Entry

“Soap opera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soap%20opera. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

soap opera

noun
: a radio or television drama presented in a series of continuing stories and characters and intended to appeal to the emotions
Etymology

so called because the advertisers on these programs were usually soap manufacturers

More from Merriam-Webster on soap opera

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