soprano

[suh-pran-oh, -prah-noh] /səˈpræn oʊ, -ˈprɑ noʊ/
noun, plural sopranos.
1.
the uppermost part or voice.
2.
the highest singing voice in women and boys.
3.
a part for such a voice.
4.
a singer with such a voice.
adjective
5.
of or pertaining to a soprano; having the compass of a soprano.
Origin
1720-30; < Italian: literally, what is above, high, equivalent to sopra (< Latin suprā above) + -ano adj. suffix
Examples from the web for soprano
  • Her voice is essentially a lyric soprano, capable of lightness and agility.
  • When it was over, the soprano soloist couldn't stop beaming.
  • The second is a soprano aria with a dramatic middle section.
  • We spoke with the soprano via e-mail about the artist's life.
  • Includes parts for soprano saxophone and alto saxophone.
British Dictionary definitions for soprano

soprano

/səˈprɑːnəʊ/
noun (pl) -pranos, -prani (-ˈprɑːniː)
1.
the highest adult female voice, having a range approximately from middle C to the A a thirteenth above it
2.
the voice of a young boy before puberty
3.
a singer with such a voice
4.
the highest part of a piece of harmony
5.
  1. the highest or second highest instrument in a family of instruments
  2. (as modifier): a soprano saxophone
See also treble
Word Origin
C18: from Italian, from sopra above, from Latin suprā
Word Origin and History for soprano
n.

1738, "the highest singing voice," ranging easily through the two octaves above middle C, from Italian soprano "the treble in music," literally "high," from sopra "above," from Latin supra, fem. ablative singular of super (see super-). Meaning "a singer having a soprano voice" is from 1738. As an adjective from 1730. Soprano saxophone is attested from 1859.

soprano in Culture

soprano definition


The highest range of the female singing voice. (Compare alto and mezzo soprano.)