soprano

1 of 2

adjective

so·​pra·​no sə-ˈpra-(ˌ)nō  -ˈprä- 

: relating to or having the range or part of a soprano

soprano

2 of 2

noun

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

Examples of soprano in a Sentence

Noun

She sings in a high soprano.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

British rock royalty Queen, American jazz great Herbie Hancock and Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan are the 2025 recipients of the Polar Music Prize. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2025

The movie’s part, as in the Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents stage musical, required an actress whose voice is in the soprano range. —Jack Smart, People.com, 14 Mar. 2025

For a review of Angel Blue (soprano) and Lang Lang (piano) in recital together, go here. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 12 Mar. 2025

Tenor Arnold Geis and soprano Laynee Dell delighted the audience with their performance of several love songs from opera and Broadway to celebrate the power of music to connect, inspire and uplift. —Village Church, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2025

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

• mezzo-soprano

Rhymes for soprano

• chicano
• hispano
• serrano
• solano
• americano
• castellano
• cebuano
• mexicano
• llano
• mano

Kids Definition

soprano

1 of 2 adjective

so·​pra·​no sə-ˈpran-ō  -ˈprän- 

1

: relating to the soprano voice or part

2

: having a high range

soprano sax

soprano

2 of 2 noun

plural sopranos

1

: the highest voice part in harmony for four parts with men's and women's voices compare alto sense 1b, bass entry 2 sense 1a, tenor sense 2a

2

: the highest singing voice of women or boys

also : a person with this voice

Etymology

Adjective

from Italian soprano "relating to a soprano or soprano part," from sopra "above," from Latin supra "above"