contralto

noun

con·​tral·​to kən-ˈtral-(ˌ)tō 

plural contraltos

1

a

: a singing voice having a range between tenor and mezzo-soprano

b

: a person having this voice

2

: the part sung by a contralto

Examples of contralto in a Sentence

a duet performed by a soprano and a contralto

Recent Examples on the Web

The contralto was a soloist in a 1940 Mundelein College performance and as a competitor in the 1941 Chicagoland Music Festival. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025

The Canadian jazz crooner once again brings her lush contralto and lilting piano to the cozy waterside locale on Tuesday night. —David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2025

An early aughts indie breakout who matured into a steadily working singer-songwriter, Case treats her distinctive contralto, elastic and candy-colored, with a sense of gravitas. —Emma Alpern, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025

But then comes the commanding contralto of Annie Lennox, and all that is overcome. —Spin Editors, SPIN, 21 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from contra- + alto

First Known Use

1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for contralto

• alto

Kids Definition

contralto

noun

con·​tral·​to kən-ˈtral-tō 

plural contraltos

1

a

: the lowest female singing voice

b

: a singer with such a voice

2

: the part sung by a contralto

Etymology

from Italian contralto "lowest female singing voice," from contra- "having a lower pitch than" and alto "a female singing voice"