The term is widely used in European art music traditions to refer to a person who sings the primary line of a polyphonic vocal piece, as distinct from a member of a choir singing a choral part. It may be used interchangeably with "soloist".
In classical and operatic singing, there are numerous specialized terms associated with the designation "chanteur/chanteuse" that denote the various types (or voice-types) of singers, for example:
- basse-chanteur (bass-baritone)
- haute-contre (high tenor)
- ténor-chanteur (lyric tenor)