libretto

noun

li·​bret·​to lə-ˈbre-(ˌ)tō 

plural librettos or libretti lə-ˈbre-(ˌ)tē 

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

With a kaleidoscopic score composed in a single act lasting around 70 minutes, and a libretto by Béla Balázs, this psychological thriller re-creates the old tale of Duke Bluebeard, who escorts his new wife, Judith, through his castle for the first time. —Georgia Rowe, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025

Audiard has referred to his script as a libretto, but Emilia Pérez stretches past operatic goofiness. —Armond White, National Review, 29 Jan. 2025

The original draws from Oscar Wilde’s eponymous play, with a German libretto adapted from Wilde’s French, and music, famously, composed by Richard Strauss. —The New Yorker, 24 Jan. 2025

To move the plot forward, the (human) player, first asked to read the libretto and memorize it, has to fill in the gaps of the lyrics as Celes/Maria gets onstage using a multiple-choice interface. —Angelica Frey, JSTOR Daily, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for libretto

• hereto
• magneto
• palmetto
• stiletto
• whereto
• allegretto
• lazaretto
• ghetto
• seto

Kids Definition

libretto

noun

li·​bret·​to lə-ˈbret-ō 

plural librettos or libretti -ē 

: the text of an opera or musical