basso profundo

American  

[bas-oh proh-fuhn-doh, -foon-, pruh-, bah-soh] / ˈbæs oʊ proʊˈfʌn doʊ, -ˈfʊn-, prə-, ˈbɑ soʊ /

noun

plural

bassiprofundi

1. a singer with a bass voice of the lowest range.

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basso profundo British  

/ proˈfundo, prəʊˈfʌndəʊ /

noun

1. (esp in operatic solo singing) a singer with a very deep bass voice

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Etymology

Origin of basso profundo

First recorded in 1855–60, basso profundo is from Italian basso profondo literally, “deep bass.” See basso, profound

Example Sentences

Sasfy added, “The style is clear — male passion and pain made real by exaggerated timing, breathless gasps, resounding basso profundo, swooping falsettos and nervous yelps.”

From Washington Post • Oct. 22, 2022

“My dad was fluent in German,” notes Paul, whose basso profundo tones echo his father’s, “so I’d expect that their tour extended to a few German-speaking countries as well.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 10, 2021

Dr. Pardo cited as an example the “let’s go” rumble, a basso profundo rumbling call that a female elephant gives to announce her desire to move on.

From New York Times • Jun. 4, 2021

He speaks in a basso profundo and looks as if he may never have smiled in his life.

From The Guardian • Jul. 15, 2017

“If you two can get together on this,” Riddick told them in his best basso profundo, "it would change this community forever."

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson