falsetto

American  

[fawl-set-oh] / fɔlˈsɛt oʊ /

noun

• falsettos
  plural

1. an unnaturally or artificially high-pitched voice or register, especially in a man.

2. a person, especially a man, who sings with such a voice.

---

adjective

1. of, noting, or having the quality and compass of such a voice.

adverb

1. in a falsetto.

falsetto British  

/ fɔːlˈsɛtəʊ /

noun

1. a form of vocal production used by male singers to extend their range upwards beyond its natural compass by limiting the vibration of the vocal cords

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• falsettos
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of falsetto

1765–75; < Italian, equivalent to fals ( o ) (< Latin falsus false ) + -etto -et

---

Explanation

Falsetto is a male singing voice that's unusually high. It's a voice so high it sounds false. A guy singing a mean falsetto could break a wine glass! Falsetto is a musical term for a male voice that's artificially high. Falsetto means “artificial voice” and comes from the Italian word falso for “false.” When men suddenly sing way up high above their speaking voices, it can sound almost fake. This word can also be used as an adjective — you could say he's a falsetto singer or a certain part should be sung with a falsetto voice. When you see the word falsetto, think "high voice."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

falsetto falsettos

The longstanding prejudice was that falsetto was comic, effeminate or simply bizarre.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

But he’s just singing better than ever — the falsetto wouldn’t hide flaws, it would just emphasize them.

From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2026

“Jealous Lover” is a spacious, soul-inflected number in the vein of “Beast of Burden” that allows Mr. Jagger to indulge his Curtis Mayfield-style falsetto.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Bettan delivers his song, a lovestruck ballad called Michelle, with sincerity and passion, nimbly moving into his falsetto over a mix of electronic beats and Middle Eastern instrumentation.

From BBC ● May 15, 2026

Then, in a strained falsetto, he answered his own question, “You are, Oh Great Santini.”

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

In Hill's song with iconic '90s R&B artist, D'Angelo, "Nothing Even Matters," the two showcase through buttery falsettos and a stunning vocal performance that love is the answer.

From Salon ● Aug. 27, 2023

Somewhat obscured at the time by the hairy chests and falsettos of their disco peak was the enduring brilliance of Gibb’s songwriting.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 22, 2023

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

For some, his voice might call to mind the falsettos of the Bee Gees; for others, the yelps of Atlanta rapper Young Thug.

From New York Times ● Oct. 25, 2021

I never wish to hear a fine singer; I always agree with Dr. Johnson in wishing that the difficulties had been impossibilities, with all their falsettos and tortures of affectation to which they put themselves.

From The Life and Letters of Maria Edgeworth, Volume 2 by Augustus J. C. Hare

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• singer

---