Meaning & use
soprano
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Meanings
nouncountable
The highest range of the singing voice, usually sung by women or boys, or a singer who has this voice.
Grammar: Countable: a soprano, two sopranos. Also used before another noun: soprano voice.
Patterns
- a soprano sings something
- the soprano in a choir
She trained as a soprano and now sings in the city opera.
The soprano's high notes filled the concert hall.
He is the only soprano in the boys' choir.
nouncountable
The highest-pitched member of a family of musical instruments.
Grammar: Countable: a soprano, two sopranos. Used before the instrument name: soprano saxophone.
Patterns
- soprano saxophone
- soprano recorder
The soprano saxophone has a bright, piercing tone.
She switched from alto to soprano recorder for the duet.
Word forms
| plural | sopranos |
|---|
Common combinations
- soprano voice
- Her soprano voice is clear and strong.
- soprano solo
- The soprano solo in the second movement is beautiful.
- leading soprano
- She is the leading soprano at the national opera.
- soprano saxophone
- He plays soprano saxophone in a jazz quartet.
Synonyms and how they differ
- treble
- Often used for a boy's high singing voice or the highest part in a choir; soprano is more general and can refer to adult women.
- high voice
- A general description, not a technical term; soprano is the precise musical category.
Opposites
Word family
- soprano adjective
- Describing the highest-pitched instrument or voice, as in soprano saxophone.
Commonly confused: soprano or alto?
soprano vs alto
Alto is a lower female voice range than soprano; a soprano sings higher notes.
Practice
In a choir, which voice usually sings the highest notes?
Choose one answer.
Soprano is the highest voice range, so it fits the question. Bass is the lowest, tenor is a high male voice, and alto is lower than soprano.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “soprano”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.