contralto

noun con·tral·to \ kən-ˈtral-(ˌ)tō \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Examples: contralto in a Sentence

Definition of contralto

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

See contralto defined for English-language learners

See contralto defined for kids

Examples of contralto in a Sentence

a duet performed by a soprano and a contralto

Recent Examples of contralto from the Web

Roberts's contralto voice grounds a Lina set adrift in a confusing universe of puppets and apparitions.

— irene hsiao, Chicago Reader, "The four plays that make up Stories of the Body plumb the depths of women’s experience," 30 May 2018
Meticulously crafted and ever-evolving in collaboration with French master creator and ex-paramour Jean-Paul Goude, the singer’s Afrofuturist image is as integral to her character as her sultry contralto and subversive stage presence.

— lauren valenti, Vogue, "Happy Birthday, Grace Jones! 18 Times the Fearless Pop Icon Broke the Beauty Mold," 19 May 2018
Her smooth contralto vocals were as amazing as ever.

— kevinisha walker, NOLA.com, "Anita Baker 'gives the best she's got' at Jazz Fest 2018," 6 May 2018
Macy Gray, Dangerous Woman, 2016) Ariana Grande and Macy Gray couldn’t sound more different, but Gray’s husky contralto is a perfect foil for Ariana’s pure soprano.

— richard s. he, Billboard, "Every Ariana Grande Song, Ranked," 27 Apr. 2018
Her unusual contralto voice opened doors to the Metropolitan Opera Co. and soloist performance at Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 4/6," 6 Apr. 2018
Bullock's voice is deeply rich and richly deep, with both the qualities of Anderson's expressive contralto and Price's electrifying climaxes.

— mark swed, latimes.com, "Kathleen Battle, Julia Bullock and the saga of opera singers of color," 5 Apr. 2018
The Essex Serpentby Sarah Perry, narrated by Juanita McMahon McMahon’s plush contralto is the ideal vehicle for this historical novel set in late Victorian England.

— laura miller, Slate Magazine, "The 8 Best Audiobooks of 2017," 18 Dec. 2017
On the surface, the music from the two icons couldn't be more different, with Dylan's sometimes (OK, usually) unintelligible, almost sotto voce mumble and fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Staples' vibrant and still powerful contralto.

— chuck yarborough, cleveland.com, "Bob Dylan with Mavis Staples, Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie: Also Playing," 31 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contralto.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of contralto

Italian, from contra- + alto

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1740

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, refrain, riff, segue

CONTRALTO Defined for English Language Learners

contralto

noun

Definition of contralto for English Language Learners

: the lowest female singing voice; also : a female singer with such a voice

CONTRALTO Defined for Kids

contralto

noun con·tral·to \ kən-ˈtral-tō \

Definition of contralto for Students

plural contraltos

1 : the lowest female singing voice : alto

2 : a singer with a low female singing voice

Learn More about contralto

Spanish Central: Translation of contralto Nglish: Translation of contralto for Spanish speakers

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contralto

Definition of contralto

Examples of contralto in a Sentence

Recent Examples of contralto from the Web

Origin and Etymology of contralto

Other Music Terms

CONTRALTO Defined for English Language Learners

contralto

Definition of contralto for English Language Learners

CONTRALTO Defined for Kids

contralto

Definition of contralto for Students

Learn More about contralto

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contralto

Definition of contralto

Examples of contralto in a Sentence

Recent Examples of contralto from the Web

Origin and Etymology of contralto

Other Music Terms

CONTRALTO Defined for English Language Learners

contralto

Definition of contralto for English Language Learners

CONTRALTO Defined for Kids

contralto

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