contralto

/kənˈtræltoʊ/

Other forms: contraltos

A contralto is the very deepest female voice in opera. A contralto generally sings the harmony when she's singing with another woman.

While it's mainly classical music that uses the term contralto, it's also occasionally used in jazz to describe a very low female singing voice. If a man is singing the same notes and range as a contralto, he's called a countertenor. Like most musical terms, contralto is an Italian word. Its roots are contra-, "against or opposite," and alto, a slightly higher voice — in other words, "the next voice after alto."

Definitions of contralto

1. noun

   the lowest female singing voice
   synonyms: alto

   type of:

   singing voice

   the musical quality of the voice while singing
2. noun

   a woman singer having a contralto voice
   examples:

   Marian Anderson

   United States contralto noted for her performance of spirituals (1902-1993)

   Ernestine Schumann-Heink

   United States operatic contralto (1861-1936)

   type of:

   singer, vocaliser, vocalist, vocalizer

   a person who sings
3. adjective

   of or being the lowest female voice
   synonyms: alto

   low, low-pitched

   used of sounds and voices; low in pitch or frequency