basso profundo

American  

[bas-oh proh-fuhn-doh, -foon-, pruh-, bah-soh] / ˈbæs oʊ proʊˈfʌn doʊ, -ˈfʊn-, prə-, ˈbɑ soʊ /

noun

plural

bassiprofundi

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

---

basso profundo British  

/ proˈfundo, prəʊˈfʌndəʊ /

noun

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

---

Etymology

Origin of basso profundo

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

Example Sentences

Sasfy added, “The style is clear — male passion and pain made real by exaggerated timing, breathless gasps, resounding basso profundo, swooping falsettos and nervous yelps.”

From Washington Post • Oct. 22, 2022

“My dad was fluent in German,” notes Paul, whose basso profundo tones echo his father’s, “so I’d expect that their tour extended to a few German-speaking countries as well.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 10, 2021

Dr. Pardo cited as an example the “let’s go” rumble, a basso profundo rumbling call that a female elephant gives to announce her desire to move on.

From New York Times • Jun. 4, 2021

Surely, that would draw from him a big, basso profundo chuckle.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2021

Bull had mostly listened that first day as this stricken, energetic man paced the sitting room of his rectory speaking with a mellifluous basso profundo voice that demanded and received unwavering attention.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy