What does "falsetto" mean?

The "false" (singing) voice in any human, usually airy and lacking a purity of vowels; created by using the next highest vocal folds above those used for speech and normal range singing. It is commonly confused with the head voice register.

What is a synonym for "falsetto"?

Common synonyms include: alto, aphonia, artificial voice, baritone, bass, bourdon.

Falsetto

/fɔlˈsɛt.oʊ/ noun, verb

noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun

1
The "false" (singing) voice in any human, usually airy and lacking a purity of vowels; created by using the next highest vocal folds above those used for speech and normal range singing. It is commonly confused with the head voice register. uncountable
2
a male singing voice with artificially high tones in an upper register wordnet
3
A person who sings in falsetto. countable

Verb

1
To sing or utter in falsetto.

Adjective

1
artificially high; above the normal voice range wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

alto aphonia artificial voice baritone bass bourdon

Antonyms

All antonyms

chest voice modal timbre modal voice natural tone

Example

More examples

"He has an excellent falsetto range."

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian falsetto, from falso (“false”).

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