basso profundo

[ bas-oh proh-fuhn-doh, -foon-, pruh-, bah-soh ]

noun

, plural bas·sipro·fun·di [bas, -ee-proh-, fuhn, -dee, bah, -see].

1. a singer with a bass voice of the lowest range.

basso profundo

/ proˈfundo; prəʊˈfʌndəʊ /

noun

1. (esp in operatic solo singing) a singer with a very deep bass voice

Word History and Origins

Origin of basso profundo¹

First recorded in 1855–60, basso profundo is from Italian basso profondo literally, “deep bass.” See basso, profound

Word History and Origins

Origin of basso profundo¹

Italian, literally: deep bass

Example Sentences

Dmitri had been a basso profundo singer, and to this day retains a commanding voice as well as a keen ear.

From The Daily Beast

She stood by the gate and pumped up basso-profundo bawls from her second or lower stomach.

From Project Gutenberg

Caleb fired off his revolver, and Turk bayed his basso profundo full-cry Fox salute.

From Project Gutenberg

The basso profundo with the keys stood frowning at the paper Singleton had presented.

From Project Gutenberg

The same general elements enter into the composition of all voices, from the basso profundo to the high soprano.

From Project Gutenberg

These basso profundo sounds, if one could formulate them into words at all, seemed more like "Disgusting fool!"

From Project Gutenberg