basso

noun

plural bassos or bassi ˈbä-ˌsē How to pronounce basso (audio)
1
: a bass singer
especially : an operatic bass
2
: a low deep voice

Examples of basso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 Neyfakh is an adept broadcaster, an authoritative basso who does not trip over his words, even if the scripts’ long sentences might make more sense on the page than in the ear. Rumaan Alam, The New Republic, 4 Feb. 2020

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of basso was circa 1724

Dictionary Entries Near basso

Cite this Entry

“Basso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/basso. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

basso

noun
plural bassos or bassi ˈbäs-ˌē How to pronounce basso (audio)
1
: a bass singer
especially : an operatic bass
2
: a low deep voice
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!