decrescendo

American  

[dee-kri-shen-doh, dey-, de-kre-shen-daw] / ˌdi krɪˈʃɛn doʊ, ˌdeɪ-, ˌdɛ krɛˈʃɛn dɔ /

adjective

1. gradually reducing force or loudness; diminuendo (opposed to crescendo).

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noun

plural

decrescendos,

plural

decrescendi

1. a gradual reduction in force or loudness.

2. a decrescendo passage.

decrescendo British  

/ ˌdiːkrɪˈʃɛndəʊ /

noun

1. another word for diminuendo

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Etymology

Origin of decrescendo

1800–10; < Italian, gerund of decrescere; see decrease

Explanation

Decrescendo is a musical dynamic or instruction telling performers to gradually lessen the loudness of their singing or playing. As you might guess, decrescendo is the opposite of crescendo, which means to gradually get louder when playing or singing a section of music. The first part of decrescendo looks a bit like the related word decrease, "to lessen or diminish." Decrescendo can also be used in a general, non-musical context, as in "The teacher stepped in and walked to the front of the room, causing a decrescendo in the hubbub of student voices."

Example Sentences

I thought my closet, like my life, would decrescendo with time, and it’s done the opposite.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 2024

The story of this Black master of the ragtime genre can seem like one that never got far beyond the starting gate and ended with a sad decrescendo.

From New York Times • Mar. 29, 2022

But he plans to return and build a cabin on family land when his music career reaches a decrescendo.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 19, 2021

The rest of the couple’s story is a sad decrescendo of frustrations and recriminations.

From The New Yorker • Feb. 25, 2017

The exercise is practised with an even strength, without decrescendo to the end; the breath streams out more and more strongly, uninterruptedly to the finish.

From How to Sing [Meine Gesangskunst] by Aldrich, Richard