Alto: meaning, definitions and examples

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alto

 

[ ˈæl.toʊ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

music

A musical term referring to the highest male voice or the lowest female voice in a choir, or a musical instrument pitched in the treble range.

Synonyms

contralto, countertenor.

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Word Description / Examples
alto

This term is also used in the context of musical instruments, specifically the alto saxophone and alto flute. These instruments play in the alto range.

  • He plays the alto saxophone in the jazz band.
  • The alto flute has a breathy sound that adds depth to the orchestra.
contralto

This term is used to describe the lowest female singing voice. It is lower than both soprano and alto.

  • Her voice is uniquely rich; she is a true contralto.
  • The contralto part brought a deep, resonant quality to the performance.
countertenor

This term refers to a male singing voice that is unusually high, often singing in the same range as an alto or soprano. It is often heard in classical and operatic music.

  • He is one of the few countertenors in the opera company.
  • The countertenor's high notes captivated the audience.

Examples of usage

  • She sings in the alto section of the choir.
  • The alto saxophone has a rich and warm tone.
Context #2 | Noun

geography

A high place or part.

Synonyms

peak, summit.

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Word Description / Examples
alto

Typically used in musical contexts to refer to a voice, instrument, or sound that is in a middle range, above tenor but below soprano.

  • The choir needed a strong alto to balance the sopranos and tenors.
  • She plays the alto saxophone beautifully.
summit

Used to describe the topmost point, especially of a mountain. It can also refer to high-level meetings between leaders or decision-makers.

  • They celebrated reaching the summit of Mount Everest.
  • World leaders gathered for a climate summit.
peak

Refers to the highest point of something, often used in relation to mountains or performance metrics (e.g., sales, performance levels). It can also denote a moment in time such as peak hours or peak season.

  • The mountain climbers finally reached the peak.
  • She hit her peak performance during the final match.
  • Traffic is usually heaviest during peak hours.

Examples of usage

  • The village was perched on an alto overlooking the valley.
  • The hiking trail led to an alto with panoramic views.
Context #3 | Noun

Italian

A musical notation indicating that a passage is to be played in a high register.

Synonyms

high, treble.

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Word Description / Examples
alto

This term is often used in music to refer to a specific vocal range, which is lower than soprano but higher than tenor. Typically associated with female singers.

  • The choir needed an alto for the harmony
  • She sang the alto part beautifully
high

Describes something that is elevated in position or stature, not limited to musical contexts. Can refer to physical height, levels, or degrees.

  • The mountain is very high
  • She has a high level of expertise
treble

Primarily used in music to refer to the higher range of pitches or frequencies. Can also describe the setting on audio equipment that adjusts high-frequency sounds.

  • Turn up the treble to hear the cymbals better
  • The singer hit a perfect treble note

Examples of usage

  • The composer marked the passage with an 'alto' to indicate a higher pitch.

Translations

Translations of the word "alto" in other languages:

🇵🇹 alto

🇮🇳 ऊँचा (ooncha)

🇩🇪 hoch

🇮🇩 tinggi

🇺🇦 високий

🇵🇱 wysoki

🇯🇵 高い (takai)

🇫🇷 haut

🇪🇸 alto

🇹🇷 yüksek

🇰🇷 높은 (nopeun)

🇸🇦 عالي (aalee)

🇨🇿 vysoký

🇸🇰 vysoký

🇨🇳 高 (gāo)

🇸🇮 visok

🇮🇸 hár

🇰🇿 жоғары

🇬🇪 მაღალი (maghali)

🇦🇿 yüksək

🇲🇽 alto

Etymology

The word 'alto' has its origins in Italian, where it originally meant 'high'. In music, the term came to be used to refer to the high male or low female voice ranges. Over time, it has also been used to describe musical instruments pitched in the treble range. In geography, 'alto' is used to describe high places or parts, such as a mountain peak or summit. The word has evolved to have multiple meanings across different contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,647, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.