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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

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

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

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.