op·er·et·ta \ˌäpəˈred.ə, -etə sometimes äˈpre-\noun alsoop·er·ette\|äpə|ret, usu -ed.+V\ (-s) Etymology: Italian, from opera + -etta ette 1.archaic: light opera 2.: a light musical-dramatic production having usually a romantic plot and containing spoken dialogue and dancing scenes; also: the musical score of such a work