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

Baritone Joshua Hopkins plays the skirt-chasing Count Almaviva, with soprano Federica Lombardi as the compassionate Countess and mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce as the mischievous page Cherubino. —Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 23 Apr. 2025

The Mahler recordings represented an artistic high-water mark; with Thomas conducting the orchestra and vocal soloists including mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, tenor Stuart Skelton and baritone Thomas Hampson, the performances were universally acclaimed. —Georgia Rowe, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025

Cinderella is instead Angelina (played by mezzo-soprano Stephanie Doche), and the evil stepmother is instead evil stepfather Don Magnifico (Grammy Award winning baritone Adelmo Guidarelli). —James Russell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Apr. 2025

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