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

The mezzo-soprano was already vastly experienced in singing at sporting events and had carved out a niche for herself as the go-to performer on the big cricketing occasion. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

As for the universality of her hypnotic, soulful sound and her dynamic, jazzy mezzo-soprano voice, Kidjo’s singing in five languages (Fon, French, Yorùbá, Gen-Mina and English) has forever been key to the funk, its frankness and her grace. — A.d. Amorosi, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026

The mezzo-soprano Andrea Baker, nude but for a wing-tip collar and rubber hip waders, took the position of conductor. — Lauren Oyler, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

This week, led by conductor James Gaffigan, the Symphony performs a program dedicated to the beloved conductor, in a performance featuring Beethoven’s glorious Ninth Symphony, with vocalists soprano Jessica Faselt, mezzo-soprano Kelley O’Connor, tenor Thomas Cooley, and bass Peixin Chen. — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 18 June 2026

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