for·te·pia·no
ˌfȯr-ˌtā-pē-ˈa-(ˌ)nō 
also
-ˈä-(ˌ)nō
: an early form of the piano originating in the 18th and early 19th centuries and having a smaller range and softer timbre than a modern piano
forte-piano
2 of 2adverb or adjective
for·te-pi·a·no
ˌfȯr-ˌtā-pē-ˈä-(ˌ)nō
ˌfȯr-tē-
: loud then immediately soft
—used as a direction in music
Examples of fortepiano in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
David Denby, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
Almost too passionately anguished, Austen is a sonnet played on the fortepiano, while Winslet is Liszt banged out on a Steinway.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 19 July 2025
While there, Zhang also received a master's degree in fortepiano performance — the modern instrument's softer, smaller precursor that was widely played in the 18th and 19th centuries.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
But away from the fortepiano, Beethoven’s life was plagued by deafness, debilitating gastrointestinal troubles, and jaundice.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for fortepiano
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Noun
Melvyn Tan, who came to prominence as a fortepiano specialist, has moved in the other direction, recording Debussy and even Beethoven on a regular grand piano.
—David Denby, New Yorker, 20 July 2025
Almost too passionately anguished, Austen is a sonnet played on the fortepiano, while Winslet is Liszt banged out on a Steinway.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 19 July 2025
While there, Zhang also received a master's degree in fortepiano performance — the modern instrument's softer, smaller precursor that was widely played in the 18th and 19th centuries.
—Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
But away from the fortepiano, Beethoven’s life was plagued by deafness, debilitating gastrointestinal troubles, and jaundice.
—Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for fortepiano
Cite this Entry
“Fortepiano.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortepiano. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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