basso profundo

[ bas-oh proh-fuhn-doh, -foon-, pruh-, bah-soh ]

noun

, plural bas·sipro·fun·di [bas, -ee-proh-, fuhn, -dee, bah, -see].

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

basso profundo

/ proˈfundo; prəʊˈfʌndəʊ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of basso profundo¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of basso profundo¹

Italian, literally: deep bass

Example Sentences

But the payoff for me came when he demonstrated the station’s rare 1934 diaphone fog signal, which sounds off with two descending blasts, basso profundo.

From Los Angeles Times

Artificial intelligence can paint meddlesome monkeys, speak in the basso profundo of James Earl Jones and play a tune to suit a hall of mirrors.

From New York Times

As the God of Love, Phillip Bullock travels from airy falsetto to basso profundo depths.

From New York Times

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

Moments of racial violence are evoked by Koh playing growling, guttural scratch tones, often on her open G string, while Tines cycles from his rich basso profundo to an ethereal falsetto.

From New York Times