Contralto

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -æltəʊ

Origin

Contraction of contratenor alto, from Latin contratenor altus.

Full definition of contralto

Noun

1. (music) The lowest female voice or voice part, falling between tenor and mezzo-soprano. The terms contralto and alto refer to a similar musical pitch, but among singers, the term contralto is reserved for female singers; the equivalent male form is counter-tenor. Originally the contratenor altus was a high countermelody sung against the tenor or main melody.

Synonyms

• alto

Coordinate terms

• (voice types) soprano, mezzo-soprano, alto, contralto female; countertenor, tenor, baritone, bass male

Related terms

• contratenor altus
• alto
• tenor