countertenor
Americannoun
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an adult male voice or voice part higher than the tenor.
-
a singer with such a voice; a high tenor.
noun
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an adult male voice with an alto range
-
a singer with such a voice
Etymology
Origin of countertenor
1350–1400; Middle English cownturenur, apparently < Anglo-French; compare Middle French contreteneur, Old Italian contratenore, equivalent to contra- contra- 2 ( def. ) + tenore tenor
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Last year, director Barrie Kosky created a sensation with his staging at Komische Oper Berlin, which starred American countertenor John Holiday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2026
They also needed a countertenor to round out their quartet—and Darshan, already a viral sensation in India, was the best person for the job.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 28, 2026
Instead, he’s publicly approved the more poisonous voices expressing their displeasure with López’s season, some of whom have a real incel countertenor in their tone.
From Salon ● Feb. 21, 2024
Schultz was an aspiring opera singer and a graduate student at Houston’s Rice University when they met David Daniels, a famous countertenor, and Scott Walters, a conductor, through the city’s music circles.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 30, 2023
Mr. Daniels rose to fame as a countertenor, singing high parts that were once sung by castratos or mezzo-sopranos.
From New York Times ● Aug. 4, 2023
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
