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Meaning & use

baritone

noun, adjective·Academicmusic

Last updated

UK/ˈbær.ɪ.təʊn/
US/ˈber.ɪ.toʊn/

Meanings

  1. nouncountablemusic

    A male singing voice with a range between tenor and bass, or a singer with such a voice.

    Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a baritone', 'two baritones', or 'the baritones in the choir'.

    Patterns

    • a baritone voice
    • sing baritone
    • a baritone singer

    He has a rich baritone that fills the hall.

    The choir needs another baritone for the lower parts.

    She wrote the song for a baritone and a piano.

  2. nouncountablemusic

    A musical instrument that plays in the same range as a baritone voice, especially a baritone horn or saxophone.

    Grammar: Countable; often used before another noun, as in 'baritone sax'.

    Patterns

    • baritone saxophone
    • play the baritone
    • baritone horn

    She plays baritone in the school band.

    The baritone sax has a deep, smooth sound.

    He switched from trumpet to baritone last year.

  3. adjectivebefore a nounmusic

    Having a range or sound between tenor and bass.

    Grammar: Used before a noun: 'a baritone voice', 'a baritone part'.

    Patterns

    • baritone voice
    • baritone saxophone
    • baritone part

    The baritone solo was the highlight of the concert.

    He sang the baritone line in the chorus.

Word forms

pluralbaritones

Common combinations

baritone voice
His baritone voice is perfect for jazz standards.
baritone saxophone
The baritone saxophone adds a deep tone to the group.
sing baritone
In the choir, I sing baritone.
baritone horn
The baritone horn looks like a small tuba.
a rich baritone
He spoke in a rich baritone that commanded attention.

Synonyms and how they differ

bass-baritone
A voice that can sing both baritone and bass parts, usually with a darker, lower sound than a pure baritone.
tenor
A higher male voice; a baritone sings lower than a tenor.
bass
The lowest male voice; a baritone sings higher than a bass.

Word family

baritonal adjective
Relating to or having the quality of a baritone voice.

Commonly confused: baritone or baritone?

baritone vs baritone

Not to be confused with 'baron' (a noble title) or 'barytone' (an old spelling of the same word).

Practice

In a choir, which voice lies between the tenor and the bass?

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