soap opera

== English == === Etymology === From the soap and detergent commercials originally broadcast during the shows, which were aimed at the audience of women who were doing their cleaning; opera from the melodramatic character of the shows, as the earlier horse opera. === Pronunciation === (US) IPA(key): /ˈsoʊp ˌɑ.pɚ.ə/, /ˈsoʊp ˌɑ.pɹə/ === Noun === soap opera (countable and uncountable, plural soap operas) (countable) A radio or television serial, typically broadcast in the afternoon or evening, about the lives of melodramatic characters, which are often filled with strong emotions, highly dramatic situations and suspense. Synonyms: (colloquial) soap, daytime serial, (colloquial, dated) story, (India) serial, (Philippines) teleserye, (particularly Latin America) telenovela, (Indonesia) sinetron Coordinate term: telenovela (uncountable) Such serials in general. (by extension) Any story that is like a soap opera, as by being convoluted or melodramatic. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Descendants ==== → German: Seifenoper (calque) ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== sudsy (adjective) === Further reading === soap opera on Wikipedia.Wikipedia