coloratura

noun, col·or·a·tu·ra often attributive \ˌkə-lə-rə-ˈtu̇r-ə, -ˈtyu̇r-\

: a style of singing usually in opera that contains a lot of high notes sung very fast

: a singer who is able to perform this type of music

Full Definition of COLORATURA

: elaborate embellishment in vocal music; broadly : music with ornate figuration

: a soprano with a light agile voice specializing in coloratura

See coloratura defined for English-language learners

obsolete Italian, literally, coloring, from Late Latin, from Latin coloratus, past participle of colorare to color, from color

First Known Use: circa 1740

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