soprano

American  

[suh-pran-oh, -prah-noh] / səˈpræn oʊ, -ˈprɑ noʊ /

noun

plural

sopranos

1. the uppermost part or voice.

2. the highest singing voice in women and boys.

3. a part for such a voice.

4. a singer with such a voice.

---

adjective

1. of or relating to a soprano; having the compass of a soprano.

soprano British  

/ səˈprɑːnəʊ /

noun

1. the highest adult female voice, having a range approximately from middle C to the A a thirteenth above it

2. the voice of a young boy before puberty

3. a singer with such a voice

4. the highest part of a piece of harmony

5. 1. the highest or second highest instrument in a family of instruments

   2. ( as modifier )

      a soprano saxophone

---

soprano Cultural  

1. The highest range of the female singing voice. (Compare alto and mezzo soprano.)

---

Etymology

Origin of soprano

1720–30; < Italian: literally, what is above, high, equivalent to sopra (< Latin suprā above) + -ano adj. suffix

Explanation

The opera performer with the highest voice is a soprano. A soprano is usually a woman, and she can hit the high notes. A woman who sings at the highest register is one kind of soprano, and her singing voice itself can also be called a soprano. Sometimes high-voiced male singers are described this way too, although it's more common to call them countertenors, or to describe their singing voices as falsetto. Soprano is an Italian word that means "the treble in music," or "high," from sopra, or "above."

Example Sentences

Los Angeles Opera’s new music director Domingo Hindoyan will lead a program with his wife, soprano Sonya Yoncheva, as soloist.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

Shannon Crowley’s high soprano captured Bailey’s ditzy kindness; tenor Logan Wagner embodied José’s eager theater-kid ambition and insecurity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 2, 2026

A number of artists have in recent months called off appearances, including a production of the musical "Hamilton," operatic soprano Renee Fleming and composer Philip Glass.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

Stark, discomforting amplification diminishes intimacy and the luxurious richness of Bullock’s soprano, which easily fills a room on its own, suggests quiet terror, the lonely state of Nina Simone’s “Images.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 19, 2026

A clear soprano wafting over vinegar fumes and pickle vats.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

Related Words

• singer