alto

[ al-toh ]

See synonyms for alto on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural al·tos.

the lowest female voice; contralto.
the highest male voice; countertenor.

a singer with such a voice.
a musical part for such a voice.
the second highest of the four parts of a mixed vocal chorus, or the voices or persons singing this part.
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

of, relating to, or having the tonal range of the alto.
(of a musical instrument) second highest in a family of musical instruments: alto saxophone.

Origin of alto

1775–85; <Italian <Latin altus high

Other definitions for alto- (2 of 2)

alto-

variant of alti-: altostratus.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use alto in a sentence

Project Los Altos: SFMOMA in Silicon Valley runs through March 2, 2014.
Photographer Alec Soth Shows a Different Side of Silicon Valley | Ann Binlot | November 22, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Filmmakers secured the actual Los Altos garage where Jobs grew up.
Ashton Kutcher’s ‘Jobs’ Is Actually Not That Bad | Rob Fishman | August 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
The cavalcade then got under weigh, and commenced winding up the rugged path that led toward the ‘Altos,’ or Puna heights.
The Hunters' Feast | Mayne Reid
The bulls graze in the remote Altos, and most of them are reserved for the bull fights in the Sierra villages.
Travels in Peru, on the Coast, in the Sierra, Across the Cordilleras and the Andes, into the Primeval Forests | J. J. von Tschudi
During the rainy season the cattle are driven into the Altos.
Travels in Peru, on the Coast, in the Sierra, Across the Cordilleras and the Andes, into the Primeval Forests | J. J. von Tschudi

The best preserved fragments which came under my observation were in the Altos, between Jauja and Tarma.
Travels in Peru, on the Coast, in the Sierra, Across the Cordilleras and the Andes, into the Primeval Forests | J. J. von Tschudi
At the words "et in terra pax" the time changes, and two flutes softly accompany a single solemn melody in the altos.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1 | Various

British Dictionary definitions for alto (1 of 2)

alto

/ (ˈæltəʊ) /

nounplural -tos

the highest adult male voice; countertenor
(in choral singing) a shortened form of contralto

a singer with such a voice
another name for viola 1 (def. 1)
a flute, saxophone, etc, that is the third or fourth highest instrument in its group

adjective

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

Origin of alto

C18: from Italian: high, from Latin altus

British Dictionary definitions for alto- (2 of 2)

alto-

combining form

high: altocumulus; altostratus

Origin of alto-

from Latin altus high

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for alto

alto

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

Browse