alto

¹ American  

[al-toh] / ˈæl toʊ /

noun

PLURAL

altos

1. the lowest female voice; contralto.

2. the highest male voice; countertenor.

3. a singer with such a voice.

4. a musical part for such a voice.

5. the second highest of the four parts of a mixed vocal chorus, or the voices or persons singing this part.

6. the second highest instrument in a family of musical instruments, as the viola in the violin family or the althorn in the cornet family.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the tonal range of the alto.

2. (of a musical instrument) second highest in a family of musical instruments.

   alto saxophone.

alto- ² American  

1. variant of alti-.

   altostratus.

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alto ¹ British  

/ ˈæltəʊ /

noun

1. the highest adult male voice; countertenor

2. (in choral singing) a shortened form of contralto

3. a singer with such a voice

4. another name for viola 1

5. a flute, saxophone, etc, that is the third or fourth highest instrument in its group

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adjective

1. denoting a flute, saxophone, etc, that is the third or fourth highest instrument in its group

alto- ² British  

combining form

1. high

   altocumulus

   altostratus

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alto Cultural  

1. The lowest range of the female singing voice, also called contralto. (Compare mezzo soprano and soprano.)

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Etymology

Origin of alto

1775–85; < Italian < Latin altus high

Example Sentences

Her emotive alto would soon carry well beyond Brazil’s borders; the band landed a coveted gig for NPR’s Tiny Desk series in 2018.

From Los Angeles Times

This allusive track boasts the album’s most sweeping chorus, anchored by Swift’s mesmeric alto and a masterfully orchestrated rhythm that uses moments of quiet to its advantage.

From Los Angeles Times

I was in marching band when I was in high school, I played the alto saxophone.

From Los Angeles Times

"Her rich alto voice sounded like she was still singing in church, but the lyrics were pure 70s pop/soul," noted US music source Soul Tracks of the track.

From BBC

An artistic force, Faithfull reinvented her musical style with each passing decade, eagerly embracing contemporary sounds and collaborators as engines for her distinctive alto, one that grew more menacing the older she got.

From Los Angeles Times