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
1
A singing voice or vocal part that sits between tenor and soprano.
"She sang alto in the church choir."
2
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 notesIn plain EnglishA middle-range singing voice or instrument, higher than tenor but lower than soprano.
Common pairings
alto saxophone
sing alto
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Word forms
- Plural
- altos, alti
Fill the gap
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She sang _____ in the church choir.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian alto, meaning "high."
Synonyms
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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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