mezzo-soprano

noun

mez·​zo-so·​pra·​no ˌmet-(ˌ)sō-sə-ˈpra-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce mezzo-soprano (audio)
-ˈprä-,
ˌmed-(ˌ)zō-
: a woman's voice with a range between soprano and contralto
also : a singer having this voice

Examples of mezzo-soprano in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The new work, with a libretto by George Brant based on his own play, stars mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo as the pilot. Justin Davidson, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024 Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts, with vocals from the mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato and members of three Philadelphian choirs: the Girls Choir, the Boys Choir, and the Symphonic Choir. The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024 Played with ease and devastating depth by the up-and-coming mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo, Jess is a fighter pilot in the Iraq war whose unexpected pregnancy forces her to become a drone pilot and confront the emotional and psychological toll of war-via-joystick. Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2024 Directed by John Fulljames with mezzo-soprano Irene Roberts in the starring role of Offred, seven performances are on the calendar, continuing through Oct. 1. Georgia Rowe, The Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mezzo-soprano 

Word History

Etymology

Italian mezzosoprano, from mezzo + soprano soprano

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mezzo-soprano was in 1838

Dictionary Entries Near mezzo-soprano

Cite this Entry

“Mezzo-soprano.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mezzo-soprano. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

mezzo-soprano

noun
mez·​zo-so·​pra·​no
ˌmet-sō-sə-ˈpran-ō,
ˌmed-zō-,
-ˈprän-
: a woman's voice between that of the soprano and contralto
also : a singer having such a voice

More from Merriam-Webster on mezzo-soprano

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