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

Rae said yes and replaced Lauren Snouffer, joining tenor Lawrence Brownlee and countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo on Wednesday night. — ABC News, 10 Sep. 2026

It is read by the countertenor and opera director Anthony Roth Costanzo. — Daniel Mendelsohn, The New York Review of Books, 22 July 2026

The production is directed by James Darrah Black, with the excellent countertenor Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen in the title role. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 16 July 2026

On top of that, Constanzo’s soaring yet sensitive countertenor makes Gandhi, originally a role for tenor, all the more compelling. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026

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