countertenor

noun

coun·​ter·​ten·​or ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌte-nər 

: a tenor with an unusually high range (such as an alto range)

Examples of countertenor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With countertenor Christophe Dumaux in the title role and soprano Louise Alder as Cleopatra, expect a dynamic performance. —Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025

Singing on this occasion were Stephanie Blythe (mezzo-soprano) and David Daniels (countertenor). —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 18 Apr. 2025

Editors’ Picks The outstanding cast also included the blooming lyricism of the tenor Paul Appleby, the luxuriously cool soprano of Mikaela Bennett and the iridescent countertenor of Chuanyuan Liu as a monk and medium. —Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025

The first concert, June 28 at St. John’s United Methodist Church, will feature countertenor Jay Carter, one of Ray-Carter’s early fellow travelers. —Patrick Neas, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English countretenour part balancing the tenor, from Middle French contreteneur, from contre- + teneur tenor

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for countertenor

• congener
• gener
• penner
• tenor
• tenour
• thenar

Kids Definition

countertenor

noun

coun·​ter·​ten·​or ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌten-ər 

: a tenor with an unusually high range