diminuendo

[ dih-min-yoo-en-doh ]

adjective

1. gradually reducing in force or loudness; decrescendo ( crescendo ).

noun

, plural di·min·u·en·does.

1. a gradual reduction of force or loudness.
2. a diminuendo passage. : >

diminuendo

/ dɪˌmɪnjʊˈɛndəʊ /

noun

1. 1. a gradual decrease in loudness or the musical direction indicating this dimwritten over the music affected
   2. a musical passage affected by a diminuendo

adjective

1. gradually decreasing in loudness
2. with a diminuendo

Word History and Origins

Origin of diminuendo¹

1765–75; < Italian, present participle of diminuire; diminish

Word History and Origins

Origin of diminuendo¹

C18: from Italian, from diminuire to diminish

Example Sentences

Later, after a short diminuendo featuring Joachim’s gorgeous live singing and those choppy, sampled vocals, the full-band dynamic returns, now with fiery lines from Joachim’s flute.

From New York Times

And that comes down to choices about how to describe things and how much insider language to use, like “diminuendo” or “staccato.”

From New York Times

He plays through the ends of phrases, bringing them to a fine point with exquisitely shaped diminuendos, and maintains a clear yet shimmery tone.

From New York Times

For the “Flower Song” from “Carmen,” Tetelman cushions the contours of his phrases, hooks into high notes without breaking the musical line and nails the diminuendo on the high B flat.

From New York Times

The Philharmonic’s other soloists included the soprano Sherezade Panthaki, who scrupulously shaped her music by approaching top notes with a diminuendo.

From New York Times