space opera
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space opera
Where it comes from
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.
noun space operas
- 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. SUGGESTION DEPT: In these hectic days of phrase-coining, we offer one. Westerns are called "horse operas", the morning housewife tear-jerkers are called "soap operas". For the hacky, grinding, stinking, outworn space-ship yarn, or world-saving for that matter, we offer "space opera"
- A subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that uses serialization.
- A work or production in this style.
Translations
Every language
noun subgenre of speculative fiction
| 中文 | 太空歌劇 /太空歌剧 tàikōng gējù |
|---|---|
| Deutsch | Weltraumoper, Space Opera |
| Italiano | epopea spaziale |
| Русский | косми́ческая о́пера kosmíčeskaja ópera, космоо́пера kosmoópera |
noun subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that uses serialisation
| Deutsch | Weltraumoper, Space Opera |
|---|---|
| Русский | косми́ческая о́пера kosmíčeskaja ópera, космоо́пера kosmoópera |
noun a work or production
| Deutsch | Weltraumoper, Space Opera |
|---|---|
| Русский | косми́ческая о́пера kosmíčeskaja ópera, космоо́пера kosmoópera |
Talk about this word "space opera." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/space%20opera. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. space opera. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/space%20opera "space opera." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/space%20opera.Cite this
@misc{space_opera_2026,
title = {space opera},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/space%20opera},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
