An overture is a piece of music, often one that is the introduction to an opera or play.
The programme opened with the overture to Wagner's Flying Dutchman. [+ to]
2. countable noun [usually plural]
If you make overturesto someone, you behave in a friendly or romantic way towards them.
He had lately begun to make clumsy yet endearing overtures of friendship. [+ of]
If only the West had been more responsive to his peace overtures in the fifties.
More Synonyms of overture
overture in British English
(ˈəʊvəˌtjʊə)
noun
1. music
a.
a piece of orchestral music containing contrasting sections that is played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio, often containing the main musical themes of the work
b.
a similar piece preceding the performance of a play
c. Also called: concert overture
a one-movement orchestral piece, usually having a descriptive or evocative title
d.
a short piece in three movements (French overture or Italian overture) common in the 17th and 18th centuries
2. (often plural)
a proposal, act, or gesture initiating a relationship, negotiation, etc
3.
something that introduces what follows
verb(transitive)
4.
to make or present an overture to
5.
to introduce with an overture
Word origin
C14: via Old French, from Late Latin apertūra opening, from Latin aperīre to open; see overt
overture in American English
(ˈoʊvərtʃər)
noun
1.
an introductory proposal or offer; indication of willingness to negotiate
2.
a.
a musical introduction to an opera or other large musical work
b.
an independent orchestral composition of varying form
3.
in Presbyterian churches, a proposal or question submitted as by the general assembly to the presbyteries
4.
any introductory section
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈovertured or ˈoverturing
5.
to present as an overture
Word origin
ME, an opening < OFr < VL *opertura < L apertura, aperture
Examples of 'overture' in a sentence
overture
Make the overture a bit more significant than your casual invitations but not too heavy.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She will probably behave brilliantly if you make the generous overture of inviting her in the first place.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
At first the Westbury resisted his overtures.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It now makes its first overtures towards potential recruits when they are taking GCSEs.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Instead, bide your time and leave it to others to make the overture.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The stormy overture tells of great things to come, which are only partially realised by the cast.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Probably, they would have resisted the overtures for peace and stuck to the demand for unconditional surrender.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Do the same and, just like her, you may just be courting hurt and resentment when your overtures are rejected.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Sometimes it was a bit like watching a small man trying to wrestle a grand piano up a spiral staircase while playing the 1812 Overture.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Word lists with
overture
Types of composition
In other languages
overture
British English: overture NOUN
An overture is a piece of music, often one that is the introduction to an opera or play.
...the composer's famous overture.
American English: overture
Brazilian Portuguese: abertura
Chinese: 序曲歌剧、戏剧等的
European Spanish: obertura
French: ouverture
German: Ouvertüre
Italian: ouverture
Japanese: 序曲
Korean: 서곡
European Portuguese: abertura
Latin American Spanish: obertura
(noun)
Definition
a piece of orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera, oratorio, ballet, musical comedy, or film, often containing the main musical themes of the work
the William Tell Overture
Synonyms
prelude
the third-act Prelude of Parsifal
opening
the opening of peace talks
introduction
In her introduction to the book she provides a summary of the ideas.
introductory movement
Opposites
finale
,
coda
Additional synonyms
in the sense of introduction
Definition
a preliminary part, as of a book or musical composition
In her introduction to the book she provides a summary of the ideas.