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

Taking her cues from the likes of Elvis Presley and Eartha Kitt, she began training her famous contralto.

From Salon • Nov. 23, 2024

Tina Turner's husky contralto and raunchy stage presence made her one of the best-known singers of her generation.

From BBC • May 24, 2023

Her trademarks were her growling contralto, her bold smile and strong cheekbones, her palette of wigs and the muscular, quick-stepping legs she did not shy from showing off.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2023

Dorothy looked over at her children, still so young but entranced by the contralto voice that seemed to each person in the audience to be singing to them, only to them.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly