fugato

1 of 2

adverb (or adjective)

fu·​ga·​to
füˈgät(ˌ)ō
: having the texture (see texture entry 1 sense 4c) of a musical fugue (see fugue entry 1 sense 1b)
the brief fugato section before the end

fugato

2 of 2

noun

"
plural fugatos
: a short musical passage in fugal style
also : a piece in fugal texture (see texture entry 1 sense 4c) that lacks some usual features of a fugue (see fugue entry 1 sense 1b)

Word History

Etymology

Adverb (or adjective)

Italian, from past participle of fugare to compose as a fugue, from fuga fugue

Noun

Italian, from past participle of fugare to compose as a fugue

First Known Use

Adverb (or Adjective)

1829, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1790, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fugato was in 1790

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!

Dictionary Entries Near fugato

Cite this Entry

“Fugato.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fugato. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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