falsetto

noun fal·set·to \ fȯl-ˈse-(ˌ)tō \

Updated on: 14 Apr 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

Yet surely no one anticipated the falsetto passages that soared high into the stratosphere without becoming shrill.

— howard reich, chicagotribune.com, "The many facets of Johnny O'Neal play out at Winter’s Jazz Club," 1 Apr. 2018
Legend added a few subtle runs, launching into a haunting falsetto when necessary.

— rebecca keegan, HWD, "More Great Shows Trump Can Watch," 30 Mar. 2018
Strengths: Posey says his falsetto, range and versatility serve him well as a performer.

— mary colurso, AL.com, "'American Idol' 2018: Can new Birmingham contestant revive the state's winning streak?," 18 Mar. 2018
With expressive ornamental outbursts, Avant has often sounded a little like R. Kelly, with his sweet falsetto and crisp beats.

— john adamian, courant.com, "Brandy, Ashanti, Avant, Lil Mo Coming To Foxwoods As Part Of R&B Remix Tour," 17 Mar. 2018
Her voice ranges from a theatrical midrange sing-speak to a soaring falsetto.

— jeff milo, Detroit Free Press, "Hamtramck Music Fest to showcase 160 acts over 3 days; here are 8 not to miss," 28 Feb. 2018
Over a resonant downbeat, Abel Tesfaye makes good use of his signature falsetto.

— raisa bruner, Time, "5 Songs You Need to Listen to This Week," 2 Feb. 2018
Then, the actor, musician, and filmmaker took the stage and froze Madison Square Garden with his incredible falsetto.

— matt miller, Esquire, "Is There Anything Donald Glover Can't Do?," 29 Jan. 2018
Doing his best performance of Maxwell, Gambino delivered a subtle, yet thrilling falsetto performance aided by younger JD McCrary’s showcase at the end.

— cleveland.com, "Grammys 2018: Grading performances by Bruno Mars, Cardi B & more," 29 Jan. 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

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)

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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

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

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