noun Uncommon

alto

AL-toh

Alto (noun) means a singing voice or vocal part that sits between tenor and soprano. Example: “She sang alto in the church choir.”

noun

A singing voice or vocal part that sits between tenor and soprano.

"She sang alto in the church choir."

A singer or instrument that performs this part, such as an alto saxophone.

"He switched from tenor sax to alto for the jazz set."

How to use alto

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA middle-range singing voice or instrument, higher than tenor but lower than soprano.

Common pairings

alto saxophone sing alto

Word forms

altos plural, alti plural

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She sang _____ in the church choir.

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian alto, meaning "high."

Origin: Italian

Synonyms

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contralto countertenor

Related words

tenor contralto countertenor

Frequently asked questions

What does “alto” mean?

The word “alto” means a singing voice or vocal part that sits between tenor and soprano. In plain terms, a middle-range singing voice or instrument, higher than tenor but lower than soprano.

How do you pronounce “alto”?

“Alto” is pronounced AL-toh (/ˈæl.toʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “alto” in a sentence?

Here is “alto” used in a sentence: “She sang alto in the church choir.”

What part of speech is “alto”?

“Alto” is a noun.

Where does the word “alto” come from?

The word “alto” comes from Italian. Borrowed from Italian alto, meaning "high.".

Is “alto” a common word?

“Alto” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “alto” have?

“Alto” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a singing voice or vocal part that sits between tenor and soprano.

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Vocabulary lists that include alto:

Words with Italian origins Words that end with O

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