pizzicato

noun piz·zi·ca·to \ ˌpit-si-ˈkä-(ˌ)tō \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of pizzicato

plural pizzicati play \ˌpit-si-ˈkä-(ˌ)tē\

: a note or passage played by plucking strings

Recent Examples of pizzicato from the Web

Two emotionally charged movements in memory of Dvorak and his daughter resonated in other ways: with throbbing clarinets, a ravishing solo by concertmaster William Preucil, and an otherworldly hushed passage for pizzicato strings.

— john petkovic, cleveland.com, "Cleveland International Film Festival: 'Getting Naked' an intimate portrait of burlesque queens," 6 Apr. 2018
Gomyo brought an enormous palette of colors and textures to her performance, from seamless, ethereal sounds in the opening sections to pure, muted sounds, snapping pizzicato sounds and crisp, decisive rhythms.

— elaine schmidt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra stirs emotions with Berlioz, Prokofiev and more," 3 Mar. 2018
Her style, which finds her switching from bow saws to nimble pizzicato, weaves together lots of moods and dynamics.

— jeff milo, Detroit Free Press, "Hamtramck Music Fest to showcase 160 acts over 3 days; here are 8 not to miss," 28 Feb. 2018
But there is also comfort: the warmth of the hearth fire, tranquil and legato on the bow; lazy days punctuated only by the pizzicato of ice droplets on the roof.

— jessica chiccehitto hindman, New York Times, "Letter of Recommendation: Vivaldi’s ‘Winter’," 21 Feb. 2018
The famous pizzicato movement flowed like the wind.

— david patrick stearns, Philly.com, "Philadelphia Orchestra gets down to business (at last)," 7 Oct. 2017
How about playing this passage bowed instead of pizzicato?

— christian hertzog, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Young composer Diego Rodriguez shines in debut with Art of Élan," 16 Sep. 2017
Runs and rapid pizzicato flung out from his Stradivarius with precision and fire.

— christian hertzog, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Augustin Hadelich, orchestra astounding in Mainly Mozart concert," 23 June 2017
The slow, halting melody conveys both his longing and his desolation; a curiously lilting bass line for pizzicato strings seems to mock Ariodante with a hint of Ginevra’s fickleness.

— anthony tommasini, New York Times, "Review: Joyce DiDonato Is Wrenching in Handel’s ‘Ariodante’," 1 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pizzicato.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of pizzicato

1790

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

pizzicato

adverb or adjective

Definition of pizzicato

: by means of plucking instead of bowing —used as a direction in music — compare arco

See pizzicato defined for English-language learners

See pizzicato defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of pizzicato

Italian, past participle of pizzicare to pluck

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1771

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

PIZZICATO Defined for English Language Learners

pizzicato

adverb

Definition of pizzicato for English Language Learners

—used as a direction in music to indicate that notes should be played by plucking the strings of a violin, viola, cello, etc., with the fingers instead of by using a bow