A libretto is the text or lyrics written for an operaA dramatic work for singers and orchestra, usually performed on stage. or musical stage work. It includes the words sung or spoken by the performers, and sometimes the stage directions or dramaticRelated to the serious action, emotion, or style of a play or story. structureThe way parts of something are arranged and connected together. tied to the music.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /lɪˈbrɛtoʊ/
Easy pronunciation: lih-BRET-oh (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the second syllable.
Used for the words of an opera or musical play.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Libretto Meaning
the written text of an opera or musical
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the words of an opera or musical play
Example: She studied the libretto before going to the opera.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Libretto Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- text
- lyrics
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use libretto to mean the music itself, but it refers to the words, not the score.
- It is not the same as a script for film or television, though it can be similar in function for stage works.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does libretto mean?
A libretto is the written text of an opera or musical stage work, especially the words sung by the performers.
What are some synonyms for libretto?
Good near-synonyms for this sense include text and lyrics, though neither is a perfect match in every context.
Is a libretto the same as a script?
Not exactly. A libretto is the words for an opera or musical work, while a script is a broader term for a written performance text.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-22. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.