falsetto

[ fawl-set-oh ]
/ fɔlˈsɛt oʊ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR falsetto ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural fal·set·tos.

an unnaturally or artificially high-pitched voice or register, especially in a man.
a person, especially a man, who sings with such a voice.

adjective

of, noting, or having the quality and compass of such a voice.

adverb

in a falsetto.

Origin of falsetto

1765–75; < Italian, equivalent to fals(o) (< Latin falsus false) + -etto -et

Words nearby falsetto

false-negative reaction, false-positive, false-positive reaction, false-start, falsehood, falsetto, falsework, falsie, falsies, falsification, falsify

Words related to falsetto

singer, alto, countertenor, treble, descant, coloratura, strident, stridulate, stridulous

Example sentences from the Web for falsetto

British Dictionary definitions for falsetto

falsetto
/ (fɔːlˈsɛtəʊ) /

noun plural -tos

a form of vocal production used by male singers to extend their range upwards beyond its natural compass by limiting the vibration of the vocal cords

Word Origin for falsetto

C18: from Italian, from falso false