contralto
noun
con·tral·to
kən-ˈtral-(ˌ)tō 
plural contraltos
1
a
: a singing voice having a range between tenor and mezzo-soprano
b
: a person having this voice
2
: the part sung by a contralto
Examples of contralto in a Sentence
a duet performed by a soprano and a contralto
Recent Examples on the Web
The home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, will be renamed in honor of the pioneering Black contralto, according to The Associated Press.
—
Melissa Noel, Essence, 29 Feb. 2024
Some layered Robinson’s singing with Olayiwola’s spoken poetry, delivered in a deep contralto that melded naturally into the texture of the score, as performed by the soprano and a string quartet from Castle of Our Skins.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 19 June 2023
The beauty of the songs is enhanced by Herrera’s lovely and expressive contralto.
—Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2023
Back in the early 1900s, British contralto and recording artist Ruby Helder expressed a desire to sing operatic tenor roles.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for contralto 
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.
Melissa Noel, Essence, 29 Feb. 2024
Some layered Robinson’s singing with Olayiwola’s spoken poetry, delivered in a deep contralto that melded naturally into the texture of the score, as performed by the soprano and a string quartet from Castle of Our Skins.
—Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 19 June 2023
The beauty of the songs is enhanced by Herrera’s lovely and expressive contralto.
—Beth Wood, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2023
Back in the early 1900s, British contralto and recording artist Ruby Helder expressed a desire to sing operatic tenor roles.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for contralto
Dictionary Entries Near contralto
Cite this Entry
“Contralto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contralto. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contralto
noun
con·tral·to
kən-ˈtral-tō
plural contraltos
1
a
: the lowest female singing voice
b
: a singer with such a voice
2
: the part sung by a contralto
Etymology
from Italian contralto "lowest female singing voice," from contra- "having a lower pitch than" and alto "a female singing voice"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share