soprano
1 of 2adjective
so·pra·no sə-ˈpra-(ˌ)nō 
-ˈprä-
-ˈprä- : relating to or having the range or part of a soprano
soprano
2 of 2noun
plural sopranos
1
: the highest singing voice of women or boys and formerly of castrati
also : a person having this voice
2
: the highest voice part in a 4-part chorus
3
: a member of a family of instruments having the highest range
Example Sentences
Noun She sings in a high soprano.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2022 Andrea Jorös, a darkly lustrous soprano, was the Count’s fiancée, Arminda. San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2022 Peng, a renowned Chinese opera soprano, is expected to visit Xiqu Centre, a performance venue established to promote Chinese traditional theater and Cantonese opera. Clay Chandler, Fortune, 30 June 2022 The 53-year-old artist is a gifted mezzo soprano and professionally trained in opera and jazz. Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 30 June 2022 Singer-songwriter Aldous Harding strums an acoustic guitar and lilts in a dulcet soprano — some of the time. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 12 June 2022 In statement responding to Blue’s cancellation, the Arena di Verona further defended the decision and questioned why the soprano hadn’t withdrawn her performance commitment earlier. Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 16 July 2022 Anna Netrebko, the superstar Russian soprano, stood on the steps of the ornate Casino de Monte-Carlo, taking photos with friends and watching Aston Martins and Ferraris zoom through the night. New York Times, 22 June 2022 The Russian soprano Olga Shurshina, as Aida, showed a big, opulent voice, typically Slavic in its quick vibrato and chesty timbre. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 13 June 2022 See More
Noun
However, Beyoncé is held in equal regard for torchy ballads that allow her mezzo-soprano voice to simmer and burn. Mosi Reeves, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2022 Andrea Jorös, a darkly lustrous soprano, was the Count’s fiancée, Arminda. San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Aug. 2022 Peng, a renowned Chinese opera soprano, is expected to visit Xiqu Centre, a performance venue established to promote Chinese traditional theater and Cantonese opera. Clay Chandler, Fortune, 30 June 2022 The 53-year-old artist is a gifted mezzo soprano and professionally trained in opera and jazz. Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, 30 June 2022 Singer-songwriter Aldous Harding strums an acoustic guitar and lilts in a dulcet soprano — some of the time. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 12 June 2022 In statement responding to Blue’s cancellation, the Arena di Verona further defended the decision and questioned why the soprano hadn’t withdrawn her performance commitment earlier. Kelsey Ables, Washington Post, 16 July 2022 Anna Netrebko, the superstar Russian soprano, stood on the steps of the ornate Casino de Monte-Carlo, taking photos with friends and watching Aston Martins and Ferraris zoom through the night. New York Times, 22 June 2022 The Russian soprano Olga Shurshina, as Aida, showed a big, opulent voice, typically Slavic in its quick vibrato and chesty timbre. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 13 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Italian, adjective & noun, from sopra above, from Latin supra — more at supra-
First Known Use
Adjective
1730, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1738, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing soprano
Kids Definition
soprano
noun
so·pra·no sə-ˈpra-nō
-ˈprä-
plural sopranos
1
: the highest part in harmony that has four parts
2
: the highest singing voice of women or boys
3
: a singer or an instrument having a soprano range or part