Meaning & use
mezzo sopranos
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“mezzo sopranos” is a form of “mezzo soprano”.
Meaning
nouncountable
A female singer whose voice range lies between a soprano and a contralto, typically having a rich middle register.
Grammar: Countable noun: one mezzo soprano, two mezzo sopranos. Often used before another noun: mezzo soprano role.
Patterns
- a mezzo soprano
- the mezzo sopranos
- mezzo soprano role
The opera features three mezzo sopranos in leading roles.
She trained as a mezzo soprano but often sings soprano parts.
The choir's mezzo sopranos carried the harmony beautifully.
Word forms
| singular | mezzo soprano |
|---|---|
| plural | mezzo sopranos |
Common combinations
- leading mezzo soprano
- The company's leading mezzo soprano will sing the title role.
- mezzo soprano voice
- Her mezzo soprano voice has a warm, dark quality.
- mezzo soprano repertoire
- This aria is a staple of the mezzo soprano repertoire.
- sing as a mezzo soprano
- He often sings as a mezzo soprano in Baroque operas.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- mezzo noun
- Short for mezzo-soprano; also used in music to mean 'medium' or 'half'.
Commonly confused: mezzo sopranos or mezzo?
mezzo sopranos vs mezzo
In music, 'mezzo' alone can mean 'medium' or 'half' (as in mezzo forte), not necessarily a singer. The full term 'mezzo soprano' specifies the voice type.
Practice
Which sentence uses the plural 'mezzo sopranos' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 uses the plural correctly as the subject of a plural verb. Option 1 incorrectly uses the plural after 'a'. Option 2 uses the plural where the singular possessive 'mezzo soprano's' would be needed. Option 3 incorrectly uses the plural after 'a'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mezzo sopranos”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.