contralto

American  

[kuhn-tral-toh] / kənˈtræl toʊ /

noun

plural

contraltos

1. the lowest female voice or voice part, intermediate between soprano and tenor.

2. the alto, or highest male voice or voice part.

3. a singer with a contralto voice.

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adjective

1. pertaining to the contralto voice or its compass.

contralto British  

/ kənˈtræltəʊ, -ˈtrɑːl- /

noun

1. In the context of a choir often shortened to: alto.  the lowest female voice, usually having a range of approximately from F a fifth below middle C to D a ninth above it

2. a singer with such a voice

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adjective

1. of or denoting a contralto

   the contralto part

contralto Cultural  

1. The lowest range of the female singing voice; alto.

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Etymology

Origin of contralto

1720–30; < Italian, equivalent to contr(a) contra- ² ( def. ) + alto alto

Explanation

A contralto is the very deepest female voice in opera. A contralto generally sings the harmony when she's singing with another woman. While it's mainly classical music that uses the term contralto, it's also occasionally used in jazz to describe a very low female singing voice. If a man is singing the same notes and range as a contralto, he's called a countertenor. Like most musical terms, contralto is an Italian word. Its roots are contra-, "against or opposite," and alto, a slightly higher voice — in other words, "the next voice after alto."

Example Sentences

The cliché applied to contralto voices is “plummy” and Heynis offers its reverse, a sort of lean, emotional essentialism in a deep and beautiful voice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026

With her electric green eyes, corkscrew hair and husky contralto voice, Dame Cleo became the most recognisable British jazz singer in history.

From BBC • Jul. 25, 2025

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s home is being renamed Marian Anderson Hall in honor of the pioneering Black American contralto, a rare case of an artist’s name replacing a corporation.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 28, 2024

In 1998, British producers Mark Taylor and Brian Rawling pioneered its modern usage by making Cher’s velvety contralto pixelate and reconstitute over and over, measure by measure, making history.

From Salon • Oct. 20, 2023

From the moment the acclaimed contralto Marian Anderson announced a performance at the college’s Ogden Hall, the two women knew they would go together.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly