basso

1 of 2

noun (1)

bas·​so ˈba-(ˌ)sō  ˈbä- 

plural bassos or bassi ˈbä-ˌsē 

1

: a bass singer

especially : an operatic bass

2

: a low deep voice

bassus

2 of 2

noun (2)

bas·​sus

ˈba-səs

plural bassi ˈba-sē 

: the bass part in early polyphonic music

Examples of basso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But at six-foot-two, with the big, square features and the theatrical presence of a human monolith, Chen looks as well as buzzes like the authority figures and heavies that are a star basso’s ticket to the really big time. — airmail.news, 7 Dec. 2024

His formidable rich voice voice always carried the gaiety of a comic opera basso. — John Mariani, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Mephistopheles, who wears a Patriots uniform, or perhaps a Belichekian hoodie, cackles in his dark basso tones every time a new candidate for the post gets behind center. — Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2023

There’s a flicker of ironic recognition in the old man yet, for Shakespeare’s verse still flows elegantly out of Page’s basso instrument. — Peter Marks, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Italian, from Medieval Latin bassus, from bassus short, low

Noun (2)

Medieval Latin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing basso

• basso profundo
• basso-relievo
• basso-rilievo

Rhymes for basso

• lasso
• paso
• sargasso

Kids Definition

basso

noun

bas·​so ˈbas-(ˌ)ō  ˈbäs- 

plural bassos or bassi ˈbäs-ˌē 

1

: a bass singer

especially : an operatic bass

2

: a low deep voice