basso

noun

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

Examples of basso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Along the Southern border, maybe the basso of pine nuts and tang of cactus paddles. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

Pan basso was a tough, inexpensive bread made of coarse flour sold at bakeries throughout Mexico City. — Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

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

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

First Known Use

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