allegro

American  

[uh-ley-groh, uh-leg-roh, ahl-le-graw] / əˈleɪ groʊ, əˈlɛg roʊ, ɑlˈlɛ grɔ /

adjective

1. brisk or rapid in tempo.

---

noun

plural

allegros

1. an allegro movement.

allegro British  

/ -ˈlɛɡ-, əˈleɪɡrəʊ /

adjective

1. (to be performed) quickly, in a brisk lively manner

---

noun

1. a piece or passage to be performed in this manner

allegro Cultural  

1. A brisk, lively musical tempo. Allegro is Italian for “cheerful.”

---

Etymology

Origin of allegro

1625–35; < Italian < Latin alacer brisk. alacrity

Example Sentences

“I have long been thinking of abandoning these nonsensical terms allegro, andante, adagio, presto,” Beethoven wrote in an 1817 letter to Hofrat von Mosel, “and Mälzel’s metronome gives us the best opportunity to do so.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2023

Like the Weber, Farrenc’s Third packs a punch early with the first movement’s surge from adagio to allegro, effervescently realized across the strings on Thursday.

From Washington Post • Feb. 18, 2022

In the first movement, she is timidly approached by the fawnlike James Hay, who dances for her with quick, allegro finesse before kneeling and kissing her hands.

From New York Times • May 22, 2017

Where golf architects hear an allegro and an adagio, championship officials hear cash registers.

From Golf Digest • Aug. 29, 2016

Gasping for air like I just completed a grand allegro combination.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day