# falsetto

/fɔɫˈsɛˌtoʊ/ (US) · /fɒlsˈɛtəʊ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/falsetto
Updated: 2026-06-22

## Definition

a high singing voice that men use to reach notes they cannot normally sing. It sounds different from a normal male voice because it is produced in a different way.

For teachers: a vocal register in which the vocal folds vibrate in a manner that produces a pitch higher than the normal range of the voice. Often used by male singers to access notes in the upper tessitura.

## Examples

- The singer uses falsetto to reach the high notes in the chorus.
- While many pop songs use falsetto for emotional effect, classical opera typically requires a different technique for high notes.
- The transition between chest voice and falsetto requires precise control of the laryngeal muscles to maintain a consistent timbre without a noticeable break in the vocal line.

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