decrescendo

1 of 2

noun

de·​cre·​scen·​do ˌdā-krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō 

plural decrescendos

1

: a gradual decrease in volume of a musical passage

2

: a decrescendo musical passage

Illustration of decrescendo

• mark indicating decrescendo 2

decrescendo

2 of 2

adverb or adjective

: with a decrease in volume

—used as a direction in music

Examples of decrescendo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Crescendos and decrescendos were exquisitely controlled. —Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 28 Apr. 2023

Deren’s last decade was a depressing decrescendo. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2022

The loveliest moment was the last, when the soloist loosened a string while bowing, trailing off with a drooping decrescendo. —Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 21 Oct. 2022

The weeks following Labor Day on Block Island become a decrescendo of day trippers looking for an afternoon of beach parties, out-of-town families on weekend excursions, and adventurous travelers looking to explore the rural beauty beyond the town’s main stops. —Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Sep. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian, literally, decreasing, from Latin decrescendum, gerund of decrescere

First Known Use

Noun

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb Or Adjective

1877, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for decrescendo

• arguendo
• innuendo
• crescendo
• endo
• tendo

Kids Definition

decrescendo

1 of 2 noun

de·​cre·​scen·​do ˌdā-krə-ˈshen-dō 

plural decrescendos

: a lessening in volume of sound

decrescendo

2 of 2 adverb or adjective

: with diminishing volume

—used as a direction in music