libretto

noun

li·​bret·​to lə-ˈbre-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce libretto (audio)
plural librettos or libretti lə-ˈbre-(ˌ)tē How to pronounce libretto (audio)
1
: the text of a work (such as an opera) for the musical theater
2
: the book containing a libretto

Examples of libretto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Complex issues are simplified in Vavrek’s libretto. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 28 Feb. 2025 In Wagner’s libretto, the second act closes with a comedic riot sparked by a misunderstanding and an attack on the character Beckmesser, a pedantic villain coded as a kind of Jewish outsider. Joshua Barone, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025 Kentridge’s libretto is an assemblage of the characters’ words and a range of other historical sources. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025 The libretto is by the poet Anne Waldman, who channels the writer William S. Burroughs in addition to Lynch and others. Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for libretto

Word History

Etymology

Italian, diminutive of libro book, from Latin libr-, liber

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of libretto was in 1742

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Cite this Entry

“Libretto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/libretto. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

libretto

noun
li·​bret·​to lə-ˈbret-ō How to pronounce libretto (audio)
plural librettos or libretti -ē How to pronounce libretto (audio)
: the text of an opera or musical

More from Merriam-Webster on libretto

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