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

X, formerly known as Twitter, is closing its headquarters in San Francisco and moving some of its San Francisco employees to San José and Palo Alto.

From Los Angeles Times

The pilot, Peterson Conway, told the news station he was flying from Carmel, where he lives, to Palo Alto when he began to have mechanical issues.

From Los Angeles Times

With 2 billion people using Google Maps every month, the company envisions people also will turn to the navigation app for inspiration, executives said at a press event at the company’s Street View Garage in Palo Alto on Wednesday.

From Los Angeles Times

Taking a Greyhound bus back to Palo Alto, Lesh whiled away a few years rooming with Constanten and working at the post office as he composed classical music.

From Los Angeles Times

Bairro Alto Hotel, a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, promises an unparalleled experience—and it certainly delivers.

From Salon