alto

¹

[ al-toh ]

noun

, plural al·tos.

1. the lowest female voice; contralto.
2. the highest male voice; countertenor.
3. a singer with such a voice.
4. a musical part for such a voice.
5. the second highest of the four parts of a mixed vocal chorus, or the voices or persons singing this part.
6. the second highest instrument in a family of musical instruments, as the viola in the violin family or the althorn in the cornet family.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having the tonal range of the alto.
2. (of a musical instrument) second highest in a family of musical instruments:

   alto saxophone.

alto-

²

1. variant of alti-:

   altostratus.

alto

¹

/ ˈæltəʊ /

noun

1. the highest adult male voice; countertenor
2. (in choral singing) a shortened form of contralto
3. a singer with such a voice
4. another name for viola 1
5. a flute, saxophone, etc, that is the third or fourth highest instrument in its group

adjective

1. denoting a flute, saxophone, etc, that is the third or fourth highest instrument in its group

alto-

²

combining_form

1. high

   altostratus

   altocumulus

alto

1. The lowest range of the female singing voice, also called contralto. ( Compare mezzo soprano and soprano .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of alto¹

1775–85; < Italian < Latin altus high

Word History and Origins

Origin of alto¹

C18: from Italian: high, from Latin altus

Origin of alto²

from Latin altus high

Example Sentences

“It can sound very similar to the human voice, especially the alto voice,” Dorado said.

From Los Angeles Times

Sounds of Beyoncé and Earth, Wind & Fire reach your eardrums and awaken the alto in all of us to join the choir of thousands around you.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s always an underlying confidence in her firm alto voice, and she has a gift for big, blunt, instantly legible pop hooks, the kind that sum up a situation in a terse chorus.

From New York Times

Whether collaborating with Mr. Glasper or the critically acclaimed vibraphonist Stefon Harris in the band Blackout, Mr. Benjamin showed off his distinctive voice on his primary instrument, alto saxophone.

From New York Times

Ismerai, an alto saxophonist from Boyle Heights, has used a borrowed school district instrument since she was in fifth grade.

From Los Angeles Times