legato
1 of 2adverb or adjective
le·ga·to
li-ˈgä-(ˌ)tō 
: in a manner that is smooth and connected (as between successive tones)
—used especially as a direction in music
: a smooth and connected manner of performance (as of music)
also
: a passage of music so performed
Examples of legato in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
The book, the story of Seymour, an ambitious would-be filmmaker and a second-rate husband, explores different temporalities, creating a polyphony of the sweeping, legato past and the rhythmic present.
—Sam Thielman, The New Yorker, 21 July 2023
Elijah McCormack was a radiant soprano with a smooth legato.
—Dallas News, 2 Apr. 2022
Staccato is syncopation and legato is like a rainbow.
—Alessandro Corona, The Enquirer, 6 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for legato
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Noun
The mix of vulnerability and boldness came through in full force in this performance, which included some audible jitters but also expressive moments where Wang’s milky legato meshed with the attentive, even tender, playing of the lower brass.
—Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
The book, the story of Seymour, an ambitious would-be filmmaker and a second-rate husband, explores different temporalities, creating a polyphony of the sweeping, legato past and the rhythmic present.
—Sam Thielman, The New Yorker, 21 July 2023
Elijah McCormack was a radiant soprano with a smooth legato.
—Dallas News, 2 Apr. 2022
Staccato is syncopation and legato is like a rainbow.
—Alessandro Corona, The Enquirer, 6 July 2022
See All Example Sentences for legato
Cite this Entry
“Legato.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legato. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.
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