alto

¹

[ al-toh ]

noun

, plural al·tos.

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.

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

1. variant of alti-:

   altostratus.

alto-

¹

combining_form

1. high

   altocumulus

   altostratus

alto

²

/ ˈæltəʊ /

noun

1. the highest adult male voice; countertenor
2. See contralto
   (in choral singing) a shortened form of contralto
3. a singer with such a voice
4. See viola
   another name for viola 1
5. a flute, saxophone, etc, that is the third or fourth highest instrument in its group

adjective

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

alto

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of alto¹

1775–85; < Italian < Latin altus high

Word History and Origins

Origin of alto¹

from Latin altus high

Origin of alto²

C18: from Italian: high, from Latin altus

Example Sentences

Swallowing became painful and her strong alto voice dwindled to a raspy whisper.

From Washington Post

Structurally, the songs are bold — mixtures of balladry, hip-hop, country, soul and blues reside, in some cases, within a single song — and are flavored with instruments as diverse as organ, flute and alto sax.

From Washington Post

She sang gospel songs in her strong alto, and she prayed aloud.

From ProPublica

He played clarinet and alto saxophone in the 17th Division Special Service Band as part of the Army’s 92nd Infantry Division, popularly known as the Buffalo Soldiers.

From Washington Post

When Cosby looked up, he saw that Sonny Stitt, the famed alto sax player, had joined the bandstand.

From The Daily Beast

She found an out-of-network doctor in Palo Alto who would do the surgery about a month later.

From The Daily Beast

Eventually Franco took an acting job so his production company could put his salary into Palo Alto.

From The Daily Beast

For this role, Mueller, who earned a Tony nomination for her turn in On a Clear Day, ironed the vibrato out of her Broadway alto.

From The Daily Beast

But how can I say that when the protagonist is a talking bear who plays the alto sax?

From The Daily Beast

"But you see it was just this way," explained the pleasant little voice—all alto notes again.

From Project Gutenberg

"It's only Molly," explained an undeniably sweet little alto voice.

From Project Gutenberg

For the burial of a rich person (entierro alto) the sum of two hundred dollars is frequently paid.

From Project Gutenberg

Truth and sincerity staring out upon you perpetually in alto relievo.

From Project Gutenberg

Alto de Mombu, again, is five hundred feet higher than Hacquita, and the mean temperature has here fallen nearly two degrees.

From Project Gutenberg