Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

calando

adjective (or adverb)
ca·​lan·​do | \käˈlän(ˌ)dō\

Definition of calando 

: diminishing in loudness and sometimes tempo —used as a direction in music

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for calando

Italian, from Latin calandum, gerund of calare to slacken, let down, from Greek chalan; perhaps akin to Sanskrit jahāti he leaves, abandons

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about calando

Statistics for calando

Look-up Popularity

Comments on calando

What made you want to look up calando? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

tomfoolery

playful or foolish behavior

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Autumn Words of the Day 2018

  • a-top-down-image-of-road-through-an-autumn-forest
  • Which is a synonym of fugacious?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games