Phrase guide

bel canto

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˌbɛlˈkæntəʊ/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -æntəʊ

1

noun

Meaning 1

An elegant style of singing characterized by beautiful tone and an effortless technique.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a style of operatic singing

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: singing, vocalizing

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian bel canto (literally “beautiful singing”).

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 美聲唱法 /美声唱法 (měishēng chàngfǎ) — elegant style of singing
  • Esperanto: belkanto — elegant style of singing
  • Finnish: bel canto — elegant style of singing
  • Georgian: ბელკანტო (belḳanṭo) — elegant style of singing
  • German: Belcanto — elegant style of singing
  • Greek: μπελ κάντο (bel kánto) — elegant style of singing
  • Italian: belcanto — elegant style of singing
  • Korean: 벨칸토 (belkanto) — elegant style of singing
  • Russian: белька́нто (belʹkánto) — elegant style of singing
  • Slovak: belkanto — elegant style of singing