falsetto

/fɔːlˈsɛt.əʊ/

FƆːLSƐT · əʊ (2 syllables)

English Noun Top 30,201

Definition

The "false" (singing) voice in any human, usually airy and lacking a purity of vowels; created by using the next highest vocal folds above those used for speech and normal range singing. It is commonly confused with the head voice register.

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian falsetto, from falso (“false”).