SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

ritornello

noun ri·tor·nel·lo \ ˌri-tər-ˈne-(ˌ)lō , ˌri-ˌtȯr- \

Definition of ritornello

plural ritornelli play \ˌri-tər-ˈne-(ˌ)lē, ˌri-ˌtȯr-\ or ritornellos

1 a : a short recurrent instrumental passage in a vocal composition

b : an instrumental interlude in early opera

2 : a tutti passage in a concerto or rondo refrain

Recent Examples of ritornello from the Web

An orchestral ritornello serves as a bridge between each variation.

— anthony tommasini, New York Times, "Listening to the Piece That Made Chopin’s Career," 30 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of ritornello

Italian, diminutive of ritorno return, from ritornare to return, from ri- re- + tornare to turn, from Latin, to turn on a lathe — more at ¹turn

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1632

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Learn More about ritornello

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ritornello

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up ritornello? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

slew

play

a large number

BROWSE DICTIONARY

ritling

ritonavir

ritornello

Ritschlian

Ritschlianism

Test Your Vocabulary

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Which of the following best describes an easily irritated person?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-5adf93a49b0b2

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

"In point" only lives in this phrase.

alt-5adf5d017e6bf

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

Watch closely and be amazed.

alt-5ade0f1ca7a0c

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

The distinction is clear (now).

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

When English borrows from another alphabet

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Test your knowledge of strange human behaviors.

Take the quiz

cats-on-impossible-timber

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz

Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game