How to pronounce alto
Say it like AL-toh. Alto has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AL).
VoiceSpeed
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce alto. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
US American/ˈæltoʊ/AL-toh
UK British/ˈæltəʊ/AL-toh
- AL
- toh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Alto pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- tohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of alto
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: AL-toh.
What does alto mean?
noun
- A musical part or section higher than tenor and lower than soprano, formerly the part that performed a countermelody above the tenor or main melody.
- A person or musical instrument that performs the alto part.
- An alto saxophone.
Where does alto come from?
Borrowed from Italian alto (“high”).
Questions about saying alto
How do you pronounce alto?
Say AL-toh. The American pronunciation is /ˈæltoʊ/. In British English it is /ˈæltəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in alto?
Alto has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AL). Broken into parts: AL · toh.
Is alto pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈæltəʊ/ (AL-toh).