noun
soprano
suh-PRA-noh
noun
1
The highest singing voice, typically sung by women or boys, or a piece written for that range.
"She trained for years to become a soprano at the opera house."
2
A singer or instrument that performs in that highest range.
"The soprano soloist received a standing ovation."
How to Use Soprano
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe highest singing voice or vocal part, or a singer who sings it.
Common pairings
soprano voice
lead soprano
soprano saxophone
Word Forms
sopranoed past tense, sopranos plural, soprani plural, sopranoes plural, Sopranos plural, sopranos singular
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Etymology
From Italian soprano, "above" — from Latin super, "above" — because it is the highest vocal part. Related to the word "sovereign," which comes from the same Latin root by a different path.