glissando

noun

glis·​san·​do gli-ˈsän-(ˌ)dō 

plural glissandi gli-ˈsän-(ˌ)dē  or glissandos

: a rapid sliding up or down the musical scale

Examples of glissando in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But on the piano, laser-beamed into his songcraft, he’s quietly electrified, at seemingly at peace as his tenorous vocal glissando and nimble fingerwork on the piano produce shiveringly tender folk ballads that echo Harry Nilsson and Van Morrison. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 2 Oct. 2026

As the piano arches into a sparkling glissando, a harp follows suit, carving out space for a light, airy synthesizer drone to materialize. — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 13 July 2026

Double-bass glissandos hint at hands grubbing in the earth, while abrupt moments of concerted action—notably, an accordion wheezing out an F-sharp-minor chord—suggest flickering signals and transmissions. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 18 May 2026

The notes, and the glissando connecting them, signal a pattern of tones for the musician to develop. — Olivia Giovetti, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably modification of French glissade

First Known Use

circa 1854, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for glissando

• cuando
• rolando
• condo
• mondo
• rondo

Kids Definition

glissando

noun

glis·​san·​do gli-ˈsän-dō 

plural glissandi -(ˌ)dē  or glissandos

: a rapid sliding up or down the musical scale