soprano

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adjective so·pra·no \sə-ˈpra-(ˌ)nō, -ˈprä-\

Definition of soprano

: relating to or having the range or part of a soprano

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Origin and Etymology of soprano

Italian, adjective & noun, from sopra above, from Latin supra — more at supra-

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1730

See Words from the same year

soprano

noun so·pra·no

Definition of soprano

plural

sopranos

1 : the highest singing voice of women or boys and formerly of castrati; also : a person having this voice
2 : the highest voice part in a 4-part chorus
3 : a member of a family of instruments having the highest range

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Examples of soprano in a Sentence

She sings in a high soprano.

Recent Examples of soprano from the Web

Openings are available in all vocal sections, though limited in the soprano and alto sections.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Pomerado News, "RB Chorale awards $15,000 in college scholarships," 12 July 2017
Rising to fame as a classical soprano during her preteen years, Charlotte debuted her first album, Voice of an Angel, in 1998.

— katina beniaris, Woman's Day, "Charlotte Church Reveals Miscarriage Just Weeks After Pregnancy Announcement," 28 June 2017
There to introduce a performance by her aunt Caroline Cooper, Church stole the spotlight with her soaring soprano.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "WATCH: Charlotte Church's Breakthrough Performance Singing Opera at Just 11 Years Old," 27 June 2017
Yma Sumac Yma Sumac is a beautiful, Peruvian soprano.

— patrick crowley, Billboard, "'RuPaul's Drag Race' Star Valentina Shares Her 5 Favorite Latin Musicians," 26 June 2017
Nixon Library Sunday Concerts Lyric soprano Melanie Pedro and pianist Ann Patrick Green perform. Richard M. Nixon Library, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda.

— matt cooper, latimes.com, "The week ahead in L.A. classical music, June 25-July 2: California Philharmonic and more," 25 June 2017
My great-aunt was the most famous soprano coloratura my country has had, Alba del Castillo.

— janelle gelfand, Cincinnati.com, "'Frida' opens operatic window into life of artist Kahlo," 22 June 2017
Shania has the robust alto twang of a country singer and the cadence of a woman from Ontario, while Celine’s powerful soprano voice has an incomparable range and delightful French-Canadian accent.

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "It’s Time for Shania Twain and Celine Dion to Record a Duet," 20 June 2017
Concert features Michael Chertock, pianist; Kara Shay Thomson, soprano; and Sycamore Community Singers, led by Linda Gartner.

— rasputin todd, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do this week: June 19-25," 19 June 2017

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