fortepiano

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noun

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

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adverb 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

Noun

Mozart and Haydn both owned a Walter fortepiano, and Beethoven wished for one. — Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2023

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

But away from the fortepiano, Beethoven’s life was plagued by deafness, debilitating gastrointestinal troubles, and jaundice. — Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 June 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French or Italian; French, from Italian, from forte loud + piano soft

First Known Use

Noun

1771, in the meaning defined above

Adverb Or Adjective

1823, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for fortepiano

• castellano
• cebuano
• mexicano
• americano
• chicano
• hispano
• serrano
• solano
• soprano
• llano
• mano