mezzo-soprano

noun

mez·​zo-so·​pra·​no ˌmet-(ˌ)sō-sə-ˈpra-(ˌ)nō 

-ˈprä-,

ˌmed-(ˌ)zō-

: a woman's voice with a range between soprano and contralto

also : a singer having this voice

Examples of mezzo-soprano in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

The Russian mezzo-soprano Nadezhda Karyazina sings the part of Marfa, who is caught between love and the strict dogmas of the Old Believers. —Jeffrey Arlo Brown, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025

One of the stars of the production was Singaporean-British mezzo-soprano Fleur Barron, who gave an unforgettable performance in the title role and won a Grammy Award for her work on the opera’s recording. —Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025

The veteran mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe appears in the small but characterful role of the nanny Filippyevna, and the 31-year-old conductor Timur Zangiev makes his Met debut leading one of opera’s most sumptuous, gripping scores. —New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian mezzosoprano, from mezzo + soprano soprano

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mezzo-soprano

• americano
• castellano
• cebuano
• mexicano
• chicano
• hispano
• serrano
• solano
• soprano
• llano
• mano

Kids Definition

mezzo-soprano

noun

mez·​zo-so·​pra·​no

ˌmet-sō-sə-ˈpran-ō,

ˌmed-zō-,

-ˈprän-

: a woman's voice between that of the soprano and contralto

also : a singer having such a voice