pianoforte

noun

pi·​ano·​forte pē-ˈa-nə-ˌfȯrt 

-ˈä-, 

-ˌfȯr-tē 

-ˌa-nə-ˈfȯr-tē, 

-ˌä-

1

: fortepiano

2

: piano

Examples of pianoforte in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Meanwhile, Adelaide’s grandmother belittles the pianoforte the girl pines for, calling it an expensive toy. — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026

In 1802, Clementi, a prominent music publisher and manufacturer of pianofortes, took a trip to Moscow, accompanied by Field. — Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026

When one of her for-hire guardians speaks of her past as a musician, playing the pianoforte (piano) for enraptured listeners, Adelaide is entranced. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

The chronic daydreamer can easily identify with Catherine’s near-delusional longing for something to happen beyond the courtships and evenings around the pianoforte that seem to make up the better part of her future. — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian

First Known Use

1741, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pianoforte

• corti
• forty
• rorty
• shorty
• sortie
• sporty
• warty

Kids Definition

pianoforte

noun

pi·​ano·​forte pē-ˈan-ə-ˌfō(ə)rt  -ˌfȯ(ə)rt 

-ˌfȯrt-ē

: piano entry 2