CONTRABASS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does contrabass mean? 

• CONTRABASS (noun)
  The noun CONTRABASS has 1 sense:

1. largest and lowest member of the violin family

  Familiarity information: CONTRABASS used as a noun is very rare.

• CONTRABASS (adjective)
  The adjective CONTRABASS has 1 sense:

1. pitched an octave below normal bass instrumental or vocal range

  Familiarity information: CONTRABASS used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CONTRABASS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Largest and lowest member of the violin family

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

bass fiddle; bass viol; bull fiddle; contrabass; double bass; string bass

Hypernyms ("contrabass" is a kind of...):

bass (the member with the lowest range of a family of musical instruments)

bowed stringed instrument; string (stringed instruments that are played with a bow)

• CONTRABASS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Pitched an octave below normal bass instrumental or vocal range

Synonyms:

contrabass; double-bass

Context example:

contrabass or double-bass clarinet

Similar:

low; low-pitched (used of sounds and voices; low in pitch or frequency)