up-tempo

adjective

up-tem·​po ˈəp-ˌtem-(ˌ)pō 

: having a fast-moving tempo

up-tempo music

an aggressive up-tempo style of basketball

Examples of up-tempo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ole Miss, like FSU, plays a very up-tempo offense and managed to get its share of chunk plays throughout the game. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026

The Knicks went from playing a free-flowing, up-tempo, equal-opportunity offense to one where Brunson would frequently use the game’s opening possessions for himself. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026

Although neither are the tallest guards (Richardson is listed at 6-foot-1, Jones one inch shorter), the pair provided an offensive spark and allowed Orlando to match the speed of Indiana’s up-tempo offense. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Jan. 2026

The Bulls asserted their up-tempo style, scoring 25 points on the fast breaks, while holding their own with the Pelicans in the paint (60 points to 56). —CBS News, 1 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for up-tempo

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo