parlando

adjective

par·​lan·​do pär-ˈlän-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce parlando (audio)
variants or parlante
: delivered or performed in a style suggestive of speech
used as a direction in music

Examples of parlando in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The result, though, on first hearing can sound like an endless flow of parlando singing, more ongoing narration than operatic musing, music confined to underscoring Shakespeare’s unbroachable phrases. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parlando.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

parlando borrowed from Italian, gerund of parlare "to speak," going back to early Medieval Latin parabolāre; parlante borrowed from Italian, "speaking," derivative (originally present participle) of parlare — more at parley entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parlando was circa 1854

Dictionary Entries Near parlando

Cite this Entry

“Parlando.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parlando. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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