soprano

1 of 2

adjective

so·​pra·​no sə-ˈpra-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce soprano (audio) -ˈprä- How to pronounce soprano (audio)
: relating to or having the range or part of a soprano

soprano

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples of soprano in a Sentence

Noun She sings in a high soprano.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
This towering work is a specialty for the organization, and this year’s soloists are soprano Clara Rottsolk, mezzo-soprano Guadalupe Paz, tenor Brian Gieble, and bass-baritone Dashon Burton. Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 17 July 2025
Noun
Sarah, a talented soprano and a spectacular cook who grew spices in her garden, was a homemaker extraordinaire. Hollace Ava Weiner, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Aug. 2025 The Pacific Women’s Chorus of San Diego, a chamber chorus for treble voices that performs music ranging from medieval chants to current compositions is recruiting experienced choral sopranos and altos. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for soprano

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

1730, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1738, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of soprano was in 1730

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Cite this Entry

“Soprano.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soprano. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

soprano

1 of 2 adjective
so·​pra·​no sə-ˈpran-ō How to pronounce soprano (audio) -ˈprän- How to pronounce soprano (audio)
1
: relating to the soprano voice or part
2
: having a high range
soprano sax

soprano

2 of 2 noun
plural sopranos
1
: the highest voice part in harmony for four parts with men's and women's voices compare alto sense 1b, bass entry 2 sense 1a, tenor sense 2a
2
: the highest singing voice of women or boys
also : a person with this voice
Etymology

Adjective

from Italian soprano "relating to a soprano or soprano part," from sopra "above," from Latin supra "above"

More from Merriam-Webster on soprano

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