alto
n. countablen. the highest female singing voice in a choir or opera. You use this word to describe the singer or the musical part they perform.
n. the second-highest vocal range in standard four-part harmony, typically sung by women or boys. Refers to both the voice type and the corresponding musical line.
She sings alto in the school choir.
The conductor asked the alto section to hold their notes longer during the final chorus.
In Renaissance polyphony, the alto voice often weaves intricate counter-melodies that bridge the gap between the soaring soprano and the grounding bass.
Borrowed from Italian alto (“high”). Doublet of old.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated May 4, 2026