falsetto

noun fal·set·to \ fȯl-ˈse-(ˌ)tō \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Definition of falsetto

plural falsettos

1 : an artificially high voice; especially : an artificially produced singing voice that overlaps and extends above the range of the full voice especially of a tenor

2 : a singer who uses falsetto

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Recent Examples of falsetto from the Web

Moses Sumney Moses Sumney’s songs ache for connection yet often end up lonely, his otherworldly falsetto cradled by slow-motion R&B grooves.

— jon pareles, New York Times, "At Moogfest, Electronics Stimulate Ears and Emotions," 21 May 2018
Is there such a thing as too much falsetto in one boy band?

— billboard staff, Billboard, "Boy Band Megaband: An All-Time Billboard Fantasy Draft," 25 Apr. 2018
Amidst the heaviness the Atlanta band occasionally left some space for Andy Hull’s fragile falsetto to soar, like a butterfly fluttering through a war zone.

— piet levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Review: Arcade Fire burns hot enough to consume a few flaws at Summerfest," 9 July 2018
Smith’s honeyed tenor absolutely glistened — overshadowed only by a falsetto for days.

— théoden janes, charlotteobserver, "Review: Did Sam Smith and his sad songs find a way to send Charlotte fans home happy?," 7 July 2018
His booming voice glides from baritone to falsetto, his statements as colorful as his turbans, leopard print coats, capes and caftans.

— carolyne zinko, Houston Chronicle, "Review: Stylish Andre Leon Talley documentary needs more substance," 20 June 2018
Beautiful falsettos are definitely Carl [Newman]’s wheelhouse.

— will hermes, Longreads, "‘I Love What Human Voices Do Together’: An Interview with Neko Case," 9 June 2018
Reinhart dances near the top of her range in a tired, almost bored falsetto.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "Haley Reinhart's "Last Kiss Goodbye" Has All Of Your Favorite Things," 31 May 2018
Joshua Kiszka’s falsetto, a dead ringer for vintage Robert Plant, is the most cited reason for comparing Greta to Led Zeppelin.

— jay trucker, baltimoresun.com, "Greta Van Fleet earns comparisons to rock legends at Rams Head Live," 10 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of falsetto

Italian, from diminutive of falso false, from Latin falsus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1721

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

falsetto

adverb

Definition of falsetto

: in falsetto

Recent Examples of falsetto from the Web

The Neighbourhood The Neighbourhood knows how to pair a high-flying falsetto vocal with a gut-rumbling low-end synth line.

— john adamian, courant.com, "Music Festivals And Concerts Not To Miss This Week," 18 June 2018
Across those three tracks, Timberlake fashioned a new sound with the Neptunes, the production duo of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, shedding his pop-singer sheen for dirty drums, falsetto vocal runs, and, notably, guitar.

— doreen st. félix, The New Yorker, "Justin Timberlake’s Roots Run Deep," 14 Mar. 2018
Fats Domino announced himself with this single: a two-fisted boogie-woogie piano intro with tremolo flourishes, verses that establish his 200-pound physique and his New Orleans locale and a falsetto vocal like a trumpet solo.

— jon pareles, New York Times, "Fats Domino Songs: Listen to 12 Essential Tracks," 25 Oct. 2017

First Known Use of falsetto

1940

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

FALSETTO Defined for English Language Learners

falsetto

noun

Definition of falsetto for English Language Learners

: a very high voice used by a man (such as a male singer)

Learn More about falsetto

See words that rhyme with falsetto Spanish Central: Translation of falsetto Nglish: Translation of falsetto for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about falsetto

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falsetto

Definition of falsetto

Recent Examples of falsetto from the Web

Origin and Etymology of falsetto

falsetto

Definition of falsetto

Recent Examples of falsetto from the Web

First Known Use of falsetto

FALSETTO Defined for English Language Learners

falsetto

Definition of falsetto for English Language Learners

Learn More about falsetto

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falsetto

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