tenor
2 synonyms for tenor, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A male singing voice higher than baritone and bass, or a singer with that voice.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
tenor voice
How to use tenor
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the tenor of the debate
a tenor voice
tenor saxophone
Etymology
From Latin tenor ("course, continuance, holder"), from tenere ("to hold") — in music, named for the voice that "holds" the main melody.
Full origin of tenor →Frequently asked questions
What does “tenor” mean?
The word “tenor” means a male singing voice higher than baritone and bass, or a singer with that voice. In plain terms, either the high male singing voice, or the general mood/direction of a conversation or piece of writing.
How do you pronounce “tenor”?
“Tenor” is pronounced TEH-nuh (/ˈtɛnə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “tenor” in a sentence?
Here is “tenor” used in a sentence: “The tenor hit a stunning high note in the final act.”
What part of speech is “tenor”?
“Tenor” is a noun.
Where does the word “tenor” come from?
The word “tenor” comes from Latin. From Latin tenor ("course, continuance, holder"), from tenere ("to hold") — in music, named for the voice that "holds" the main melody.
Is “tenor” a common word?
“Tenor” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tenor” have?
“Tenor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male singing voice higher than baritone and bass, or a singer with that voice.
