What does "alto" mean?
A musical part or section higher than tenor and lower than soprano, formerly the part that performed a countermelody above the tenor or main melody.
Alto
/ˈæl.toʊ/ name, noun, slang
name, noun, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A musical part or section higher than tenor and lower than soprano, formerly the part that performed a countermelody above the tenor or main melody.
- Grammar: alto is listed as name, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: contralto, above, accompaniment, alto range.
- Useful contrasts: bass clef, bottom, hondo.
- Usage evidence: Tom plays the baritone saxophone and Mary plays the alto saxophone.
How to use "alto"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "alto" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "alto" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "alto" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "alto" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "alto" is acting as name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "contralto" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "alto", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A musical part or section higher than tenor and lower than soprano, formerly the part that performed a countermelody above the tenor or main melody.
- 2 the pitch range of the lowest female voice wordnet
- 3 A person or musical instrument that performs the alto part.
- 4 (of a musical instrument) the second highest instrument in a family of musical instruments wordnet
- 5 An alto saxophone. colloquial
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 the highest adult male singing voice wordnet
- 7 the lowest female singing voice wordnet
- 8 a singer whose voice lies in the alto clef wordnet
Adjective
- 1 (of a musical instrument) second highest member of a group wordnet
- 2 of or being the highest male voice; having a range above that of tenor wordnet
- 3 of or being the lowest female voice wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
- 2 A census-designated place in Marin County, California, United States.
- 3 initialism of air launch to orbit. abbreviation, alt-of, initialism
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Tom plays the baritone saxophone and Mary plays the alto saxophone."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "alto"?
Common synonyms include: contralto, above, accompaniment, alto range, alto voice, aria singer.
How do you use "alto" in a sentence?
Tom plays the baritone saxophone and Mary plays the alto saxophone.
How do you pronounce "alto"?
Pronounced /ˈæl.toʊ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Borrowed from Italian alto (“high”). Doublet of old.
Etymology 2
Borrowed from Spanish alto.