bass
/beɪs/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈes] /beɪs/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈæs] /ˈbas/ (ame, mw) · /bæs/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈæs] /bæs/ (ame, ipa)
bass — noun
- basssingular
- bassesplural
1. the deepest part of a piece of music, the male voice that sings there, or the si
the deepest part of a piece of music, the male voice that sings there, or the singer who has that voice
Felix sang the bass line while the choir practised after school.
bass line in choral music
The church organ filled the hall with warm bass during rehearsal.
Everyone heard Noa's deep bass before the singer walked onstage.
The conductor asked the basses to come in two beats later.
- low register
focuses on the low range rather than the singer
- treble
the higher musical range or part
文法句型
sing bass
the basses + verb
用法筆記
In music, bass can name the low range itself, the written part, the male voice, or the singer.
2. the low, heavy sounds you hear from speakers, headphones, or similar equipment
the low, heavy sounds you hear from speakers, headphones, or similar equipment
Camila turned down the bass because the windows were shaking.
turn down the bass on audio equipment
The new speaker gave the trailer stronger bass in the cinema.
Pim tested the headphones and noticed the bass was muddy.
At midnight, the club's bass thumped through our apartment floor.
- low end
informal term for the low-frequency part of a mix
- treble
the high-frequency part of a sound system
文法句型
turn up the bass
the bass is + adjective
用法筆記
This sense is used for recorded or amplified sound, not for the singing part in music.
3. a four-string electric instrument played to provide the low notes in a band
a four-string electric instrument played to provide the low notes in a band
Selim bought a used bass and joined his cousin's garage band.
bass meaning bass guitar in band talk
Vikram slung the bass over one shoulder before sound check.
Jabari practised scales on the bass before the doors opened.
The teacher showed Lakan how to mute the strings on a bass.
- bass guitar
the full name of the instrument
文法句型
play bass
a bass + verb
用法筆記
In pop and rock settings, bass by itself usually means bass guitar.
4. a very large string instrument, usually played standing up, that carries the bot
a very large string instrument, usually played standing up, that carries the bottom line in an orchestra or jazz group
Benjamin lifted the bass onto the bus with both hands.
bass as a large upright instrument
The student tuned the bass beside the cello cases backstage.
A crack appeared on the bass after the long winter tour.
Élise rented a bass because the school instrument was in repair.
- double bass
the full formal name used in orchestras and music schools
文法句型
a bass + verb
tune the bass
用法筆記
In orchestras and jazz groups, bass often shortens double bass. The context usually shows that this is the large upright instrument, not the guitar.
bass — noun
- basssingular
- bassesplural
1. a fish that lives in fresh water or the sea and is often caught for food
a fish that lives in fresh water or the sea and is often caught for food
The guide cleaned the bass beside the lake before sunset.
bass meaning a fish caught for food
Noa ordered grilled bass with rice and lemon at lunch.
Children cheered when Christopher pulled a bass from the river.
The market sold fresh bass next to crabs and shrimp.
文法句型
catch a bass
grilled bass
用法筆記
This fish sense is pronounced /bæs/, unlike the musical word bass.
bass — adjective
- basspositive
- bassercomparative
- bassestsuperlative
1. describing a voice, instrument, or sound that stays in the lowest musical range
describing a voice, instrument, or sound that stays in the lowest musical range
The actor spoke in a bass voice that filled the theatre.
bass + voice
The parade started with a bass drum roll at the corner.
Our choir needs one more bass singer for tonight's concert.
The school owns a bass recorder for early music lessons.
- low-pitched
a general word for sounds in a deep range
- treble
describes the higher musical range
文法句型
bass + noun
用法筆記
This adjective usually comes before the noun, as in bass voice, bass drum, or bass recorder.