Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

decrescendo

/ˌdiːkɹɪˈʃɛndəʊ/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.35 in modern English

Syllables: de-crescen-do
IPA: /ˌdiːkɹɪˈʃɛndəʊ/

17

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An instruction to play gradually more softly.

noun

A gradual decrease in volume or loudness of a piece of music.

verb

To gradually become quieter

adj

becoming quieter gradually.

Example Sentences

"The peace was ended by the sound of an approaching train, the steady exhaust beat that has its own appeal, and amid a cloud of steam a rebuilt "Scot" burst from under the bridge at the south end of the station, and roared past at high speed. A long line of lighted windows flashed past, and then, in decrescendo, the sound and fury passed northwards."

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian decrescendo.

Inflected Forms

decrescendos (plural) decrescendi (plural) decrescendos (present, singular) decrescendoing (participle, present) decrescendoed (participle, past) decrescendoed (past) more decrescendo (comparative) most decrescendo (superlative)

Synonyms

diminuendo

Antonyms

crescendo

Questions

How do you pronounce decrescendo?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌdiːkɹɪˈʃɛndəʊ/.
What does decrescendo mean?: An instruction to play gradually more softly.
Where does decrescendo come from?: Borrowed from Italian decrescendo.

How to pronounce decrescendo

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “decrescendo”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌdiːkɹɪˈʃɛndəʊ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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