basso

noun

bas·​so ˈba-(ˌ)sō  ˈbä- 

plural bassos or bassi ˈbä-ˌsē 

1

: a bass singer

especially : an operatic bass

2

: a low deep voice

Examples of basso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But at six-foot-two, with the big, square features and the theatrical presence of a human monolith, Chen looks as well as buzzes like the authority figures and heavies that are a star basso’s ticket to the really big time. —airmail.news, 7 Dec. 2024

His formidable rich voice voice always carried the gaiety of a comic opera basso. —John Mariani, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

His voice was the earth-shaking basso rumble coming from behind the forbidding mask of Darth Vader in the Star Wars saga, starting with the original 1977 film, and the stentorian growl of Mufasa, King of the Pride Lands and father of Simba in The Lion King. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Mephistopheles, who wears a Patriots uniform, or perhaps a Belichekian hoodie, cackles in his dark basso tones every time a new candidate for the post gets behind center. —Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2023

Michael’s father, Harold, was a longtime basso with the Metropolitan Opera, who’d urged Joanna, sitting on his lap, to sing stanzas back to him. —Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023

There’s a flicker of ironic recognition in the old man yet, for Shakespeare’s verse still flows elegantly out of Page’s basso instrument. —Peter Marks, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2023

Scored for five voices, five unspecified instrumental parts and basso continuo, the music is reverent and wistful. —New York Times, 20 Mar. 2020

Jackson's basso delivery earns plenty of laughs, and Harkness is affecting as Paul's decline into alcoholism curtails his performing career. —David Rooney, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Medieval Latin bassus, from bassus short, low

First Known Use

circa 1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing basso

• basso profundo
• basso-relievo
• basso-rilievo

Rhymes for basso

• lasso
• paso
• sargasso

Kids Definition

basso

noun

bas·​so ˈbas-(ˌ)ō  ˈbäs- 

plural bassos or bassi ˈbäs-ˌē 

1

: a bass singer

especially : an operatic bass

2

: a low deep voice