arias
|ar-i-as|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˈɑɹiəz/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːriəz/
(aria)
solo melody
Etymology
Etymology Information
'aria' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'aria', where it meant 'air, melody'.
Historical Evolution
'aria' passed into English from Italian in the 17th–18th centuries (through the popularity of Italian opera), ultimately from Latin/Greek roots for 'air'.
Meaning Changes
Initially it meant 'air' or 'melody' in a general sense, but over time it came to denote specifically a solo vocal piece in opera and related genres.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'aria' — an elaborate, expressive song for a solo voice, especially in an opera, oratorio, or cantata.
The soprano performed three challenging arias in the second act.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/13 16:36