alto
alto Lexical Profile
alto Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The second-highest vocal part in a four-part choir, lower than a soprano and higher than a tenor; the lowest standard female singing voice, or a singer with such a voice.
"The choir director asked each alto to project more clearly during the second verse."
A musical instrument pitched in the alto range, especially an alto saxophone, alto flute, or viola.
"He played a smooth jazz solo on his brass alto."
• adjective
Having a pitch range corresponding to the alto voice, or second-highest in a family of musical instruments, above the tenor and below the soprano.
"The student began learning to play the alto recorder before transitioning to the flute."
Word Nuance & Usage
In choral music, 'alto' usually denotes the second-highest vocal part, whereas 'contralto' is preferred in solo and operatic contexts for the lowest female voice type.
• Rhymes for alto
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Italian 'alto' (literally 'high'), shortened from 'contralto' (from Latin 'contra' + 'altus'), originally referring to a voice sung above the tenor part in polyphonic music.