First Known Use: 1813
Dictionary
1contrabass
noun con·tra·bass \ˈkän-trə-ˌbās\
Definition of CONTRABASS
— con·tra·bass·ist \-ˌbā-sist\ noun
See contrabass defined for English-language learners
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of CONTRABASS
Italian contrabbasso, from contra- + basso bass
Rhymes with CONTRABASS
about-face, aerospace, anyplace, boniface, bouillabaisse, carapace, catalase, cellulase, commonplace, cyberspace, database, diabase, diastase, double-space, elastase, everyplace, hydrolase, hydrospace, hyperspace, interface, interlace, interspace, invertase, kilobase, lemures, lowercase, marketplace, oxidase, pillowcase, reductase, Samothrace, single-space, steeplechase, thoroughbass, thoroughbrace, triple-space, uppercase
2contrabass
adjective
Definition of CONTRABASS
: pitched lower than a bass instrument of the same type <a contrabass clarinet>
Learn More About CONTRABASS
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: contrabass clarinetPrevious Word in the Dictionary: contraband of warAll Words Near: contrabass
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up contrabass? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).