tenore
/teˈno.re/masculine
The Italian word for tenor is tenore.
The word tenore is a masculine noun used to describe a musical performer. You may also see the related adjective tenorile, which means pertaining to the tenor part or range.
Meaning: musical performer (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is derived from the Latin tenere, meaning to hold, which refers to the musical part that holds the melody or the direction of the music.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word tenore is a masculine noun. Its plural form is tenori.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable: /teˈno.re/.
Did you know?
- In the context of legal or official documents, tenore refers to the literal wording or the exact content of the text.
- The term tenore is closely linked to the Italian tradition of the 'tenore sardo', a unique polyphonic folk singing style from Sardinia recognized by UNESCO.
- Outside of music, the word tenore is used in Italian to describe the 'tone' or 'general drift' of a conversation or a piece of writing.
Examples in context
- Avevamo un tenore una volta.We had a tenor once.This sentence uses tenore to show possession in the past.Tatoeba #8670171 by Guybrush88, translation #8669344 by ajje
- Il tenore ha cantato molto bene stasera.The tenor sang very well tonight.This sentence uses tenore to describe a performer's performance tonight.Tatoeba #5094555 by Guybrush88, translation #2259455 by _undertoad
- Il tenore ha una voce straordinaria.The tenor has an extraordinary voice.
- Mario è un tenore lirico eccezionale.Mario is an exceptional lyrical tenor.
- Marco ha una splendida voce da tenore.Marco has a splendid tenor voice.
- Quel tenore ha una voce incredibile.That tenor has an incredible voice.
Example conversation
Alessandro and Chiara are discussing an opera performance they just attended.
- AlessandroTi è piaciuto il tenore stasera?Did you like the tenor tonight?
- ChiaraSì, era davvero bravissimo.Yes, he was truly excellent.
- AlessandroAnche a me è sembrato molto potente.He seemed very powerful to me too.
- ChiaraNon dimenticherò mai la sua performance.I will never forget his performance.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tenor” translations and entries tenore, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
