Alto

/ˈæltoʊ/

/ˈʌltəʊ/

IPA guide

Other forms: altos

An alto is a woman with a relatively low singing voice. In a choir, alto describes the lowest singing part written for a female voice.

While occasionally men are described as altos — in which case, the word describes a fairly high pitched singing voice — it more often describes a woman whose voice is lower than a soprano. The word alto can also refer to other instruments, including saxophones and flutes, at specific pitches. Alto originally described a man's high voice, from a Latin root, altus, or "high."

Definitions of alto

noun
the lowest female singing voice

synonyms: contralto

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type of:
singing voice
the musical quality of the voice while singing
noun
the highest adult male singing voice

synonyms: countertenor

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type of:
singing voice
the musical quality of the voice while singing
noun
the pitch range of the lowest female voice

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type of:
pitch
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
noun
a singer whose voice lies in the alto clef

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types:
countertenor
a male singer with a voice above that of a tenor

type of:
singer, vocaliser, vocalist, vocalizer
a person who sings
noun
(of a musical instrument) the second highest instrument in a family of musical instruments

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type of:
pitch
the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
adjective
of or being the lowest female voice

synonyms: contralto

low, low-pitched
used of sounds and voices; low in pitch or frequency
adjective
of or being the highest male voice; having a range above that of tenor

synonyms: countertenor

high, high-pitched
used of sounds and voices; high in pitch or frequency
adjective
(of a musical instrument) second highest member of a group

“alto clarinet or recorder”

synonyms:
high, high-pitched
used of sounds and voices; high in pitch or frequency

Pronunciation

/ˈæltoʊ/

/ˈʌltəʊ/

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Word Family

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