allegretto

1 of 2

adverb or adjective

al·​le·​gret·​to ˌa-lə-ˈgre-(ˌ)tō How to pronounce allegretto (audio)
ˌä-lə-
: faster than andante but not so fast as allegro
used as a direction in music

allegretto

2 of 2

noun

plural allegrettos
: a musical composition or movement in allegretto tempo

Examples of allegretto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The aria-like allegretto offered an opportunity for Fejervari to show off his technique in layers with bass staccato notes popping against creamy treble thirds and lyrical lines. Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2019 Urgently dramatic outer movements enclosed the caustic jollity of the allegretto and the anguished threnody of the largo. John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, 22 Dec. 2017 All well and good, but the music, while beautifully played, was too drawn out, falling noticeably below Brahms' poco allegretto marking. John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, 12 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'allegretto.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adverb or adjective

Italian, diminutive of allegro

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

1710, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of allegretto was in 1710

Dictionary Entries Near allegretto

Cite this Entry

“Allegretto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allegretto. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

allegretto

adverb or adjective
al·​le·​gret·​to
ˌal-ə-ˈgret-ō,
ˌäl-
: faster than andante but not so fast as allegro
used as a direction in music
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