falsetto

UK: /fɔːlˈsɛtəʊ/ US: /fɔlˈsɛtoʊ/ ,(fôl set′ō)

Inflections of 'falsetto' (n): npl: falsettos

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

fal•set•to /fɔlˈsɛtoʊ/   n. [countable] , pl. -tos. 

1. Music and Dance an unnaturally or artificially high-pitched voice, esp. in a man.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

fal•set•to  (fôl set′ō), n., pl. -tos, adj., adv. 
n. 

1. Music and Dance an unnaturally or artificially high-pitched voice or register, esp. in a man.
2. Music and Dance a person, esp. a man, who sings with such a voice.

adj. 

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

adv. 

4. in a falsetto.

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

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

falsetto / fɔːlˈsɛtəʊ/ noun ( -tos)

1. 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

Etymology: 18th Century: from Italian, from falso false