noun
alto
AL-toh
noun
1
A singing voice or vocal part that sits between tenor and soprano.
"She sang alto in the church choir."
2
A singer or instrument that performs this part, such as an alto saxophone.
"He switched from tenor sax to alto for the jazz set."
How to Use Alto
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA middle-range singing voice or instrument, higher than tenor but lower than soprano.
Common pairings
alto saxophone
sing alto
Word Forms
altos plural, alti plural
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Etymology
Borrowed from Italian alto, meaning "high."