Pronunciation: /ˈæl.toʊ/

Definitions of alto

noun a singing voice or an instrument that has a range lower than a soprano but higher than a tenor

Example Sentences

A1 I can play the alto saxophone.

A2 The alto of the choir stood out during the performance.

B1 She is learning to play the alto recorder.

B2 The alto voice in the opera was captivating.

C1 The alto section of the orchestra sounded harmonious.

C2 The alto soloist received a standing ovation for her performance.

adjective relating to the highest male voice or the lowest female voice

Example Sentences

A1 The alto voice in the choir sang beautifully.

A2 She played the alto saxophone in the school band.

B1 The alto section of the orchestra added depth to the music.

B2 Her alto range was impressive, allowing her to sing a variety of songs.

C1 The alto soloist captivated the audience with her powerful voice.

C2 The alto part in the opera required a skilled singer to perform it with precision.

Examples of alto in a Sentence

formal The alto section of the choir performed beautifully during the concert.

informal I love listening to the alto part in this song, it's so catchy!

slang That alto solo was fire, she really nailed it!

figurative Her voice soared to alto heights, reaching deep into our emotions.

Grammatical Forms of alto

past tense

altered

plural

altos

comparative

higher

superlative

highest

present tense

altos

future tense

will alto

perfect tense

have altoed

continuous tense

is altoing

singular

alto

positive degree

high

infinitive

to alto

gerund

altoing

participle

altoed

Origin and Evolution of alto

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Italian/Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'alto' originated from Italian, derived from the Latin word 'altus' meaning 'high'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in music to refer to the second highest vocal range for men or the lowest for women, the term 'alto' has evolved to also describe a type of saxophone, a type of singing voice, and a type of choral part.