buffo

American  

[boo-foh, boof-faw] / ˈbu foʊ, ˈbuf fɔ /

noun

Music.

buffi, plural buffos plural

1. (in opera) a comedy part, usually bass.

2. a male opera singer who specializes in comic roles.

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buffo British  

/ ˈbʊfəʊ, ˈbuffo /

noun

1. (in Italian opera of the 18th century) a comic part, esp one for a bass

2. Also called: buffo bass.   basso buffo.  a bass singer who performs such a part

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• buffi
  plural
• buffos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of buffo

1755–65; < Italian: ridiculous, comic actor who takes comic parts; back formation from buffone buffoon

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

buffo buffos

“To me, it’s the greatest of these buffo arias,” Colaneri said.

From New York Times ● Jul. 17, 2022

Clarissa Lyons as Stonatrilla, the slightly over-the-hill prima donna, had an arresting, magisterial voice and presence; Kihun Yoon as Sospiro, the librettist, had a huge rich baritone and natural buffo flair.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 17, 2016

As the music strikes up, and the book’s characters are introduced in comic buffo style, you wonder if you’re in for a meal of wise-ass lit-lampoonery.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 11, 2013

He is the one who has to put a show on the stage and placate a public that prefers buffo comedy and singers with good high C’s.

From New York Times ● Mar. 29, 2011

Then he rope-walked again, doing impossible things—that is, they would have been impossible if he had not been sustained by many invisible strings, which the buffo manipulated with wonderful skill. 

From Castellinaria and Other Sicilian Diversions by Jones, Henry Festing

"I was much entertained," he said, "by one of my buffos, who introduced London street cries into a comedy that he got up in Paris."

From Napoleon's Young Neighbor by Reed, Helen Leah