Glyndebourne
In British usage, Glyndebourne functions as shorthand for the famous opera festival held at Glyndebourne House in East Sussex, England.
Etymology timeline
Born ~1934 · 1 year of recorded useDefinitions
In British usage, Glyndebourne functions as shorthand for the famous opera festival held at Glyndebourne House in East Sussex, England. Saying someone 'went to Glyndebourne' instantly communicates high culture, upper-middle-class social life, and the specific British tradition of dressing in evening wear, bringing a hamper, and eating a picnic on the lawn during the long interval. It's one of those words that carries enormous cultural weight — invoking champagne, summer gardens, and very expensive tickets — in a way that just saying 'opera' wouldn't capture.
She'd been saving up all year to take her mother to Glyndebourne for her seventieth birthday.
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the opera house located there.
“New vacancy: Learning & Engagement Project Manager - Glyndebourne Productions Ltd City: Lewes | Salary: up to £35,000 per annum, pro rata Apply here ⬇️ jobs.thestage.co.uk/career/31310... #TheatreJobs”
— Bluesky· May 2026
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(British) the opera that takes place there.
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