sol-fa

[ sohl-fah, sohl-fah ]

/ ˌsoʊlˈfɑ, ˈsoʊlˌfɑ /

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Definition of sol-fa

noun

Music. the set of syllables, do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, and ti, sung to the respective tones of the scale. All but do and ti are attributed to Guido d'Arezzo.

the system of singing tones to these syllables.

verb (used without object), sol-faed, sol-fa·ing.

to use the sol-fa syllables in singing, or to sing these syllables.

verb (used with object), sol-faed, sol-fa·ing.

to sing to the sol-fa syllables, as a tune.

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showing self-respect

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Origin of sol-fa

1560–70; sol¹ + fa; see gamut

OTHER WORDS FROM sol-fa

sol-faist, noun

Words nearby sol-fa

Solesmes, sole-source, sole trader, Soleure, soleus, sol-fa, solfatara, solfège, solfeggio, Solferino, solgel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use sol-fa in a sentence

Ortho Sol makes precision screws for the most delicate of construction projects: spinal fusion.
Patients Screwed in Spine Surgery ‘Scam’|The Center for Investigative Reporting|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Except for nine of them are musical words: do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti—and si—are musical.
Well, La Ti Da: Stephin Merritt’s Winning Little Words of Scrabble|David Bukszpan|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To earn a spot on the trip, each participant agreed to raise a minimum of $1,000 to fund critical initiatives at Ninos del Sol.
Motherless Daughters and Parentless Parents Trek to the Andes to Aid Orphans|Allison Gilbert|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Last year, at the less than spry age of 34, he broke two bones in his back while leading his Everton team to an FA Cup win.
Team USA Lost, but Tim Howard Is a Winner|Emily Shire|July 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The drive from the Costa del Sol is more about 2,000 miles and would take about 30 hours with no stops.
Alleged Murderer Shot Her Millionaire Ex and Escaped in Gold Hummer|Barbie Latza Nadeau|April 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sol laughed out of his whiskers, with a big, loose-rolling sound, and sat on the porch without waiting to be asked.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
Sol got up, slowly; took a backward step into the yard; filled his lungs, opened his mouth, made his eyes round.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
It was such a magnificent sum that Sol did not feel like taking the familiarity with it of mentioning it aloud.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
“It looks better than any house around here now, since you fixed it up and painted it,” said Sol.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
“Well, mistakes is humant,” sighed Sol, taking advantage of that universal absolution.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden

British Dictionary definitions for sol-fa

sol-fa

/ (ˈsɒlˈfɑː) /

noun

short for tonic sol-fa

verb -fas, -faing or -faed

US to use tonic sol-fa syllables in singing (a tune)

Word Origin for sol-fa

C16: see gamut

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012