percussive

1 of 2

adjective

per·​cus·​sive pər-ˈkə-siv 

1

: of or relating to percussion

especially : operative or operated by striking

2

: having powerful impact

percussively adverb

percussiveness noun

percussiveness

2 of 2

noun

per·​cus·​sive·​ness

-sivnə̇s, 

-sēv- also -səv-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being percussive

to his harpsichord style he carries over a pianistic percussiveness

—Saturday Review

Examples of percussive in a Sentence

Adjective

The song had a punchy, percussive rhythm.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In the late aughts, the futuristic cowboys of Mexico’s tribal guarachero boom launched superstars like 3BallMTY and Erick Rincón, laying the percussive foundation for Colombia’s guaracha takeover of the following decade and breakouts like Fumaratto. — Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 12 Oct. 2026

On Linda’s Head, the second album from the shoegaze power trio Helen, Harris delivers some of the most succinct and percussive couplets of her career. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026

Unlike other pipe organs, these engineering marvels have percussive sound effects for thunderclaps, horse hooves and train whistles, perfect for old movie palaces. — Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026

Baird, a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, favors density and percussive force, while Williams, a trumpeter, tends to work in subliminal textures and blurred, dissolving tones. — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1