diminuendo

American  

[dih-min-yoo-en-doh] / dɪˌmɪn yuˈɛn doʊ /

adjective

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

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noun

plural

diminuendoes

1. a gradual reduction of force or loudness.

2. a diminuendo passage. >

diminuendo British  

/ dɪˌmɪnjʊˈɛndəʊ /

noun

1. 1.  dim.  a gradual decrease in loudness or the musical direction indicating this

   2. a musical passage affected by a diminuendo

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adjective

1. gradually decreasing in loudness

2. with a diminuendo

Etymology

Origin of diminuendo

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

Explanation

In music, diminuendo means gradually growing more quiet. When the sheet music calls for a diminuendo, that's definitely not the time to blow your trumpet as hard as you can. As they play, musicians don't simply follow the notes; musical notation includes a lot of additional information, including how fast to play, whether to be loud or quiet, and when to increase or decrease the volume. Diminuendo, which comes from the Latin root deminuere, or "diminish," instructs a pianist or cellist to quiet their playing, transitioning to a more gentle sound.

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 • Feb. 29, 2024

Saints meanwhile are coming off the back of their no-show in the FA Cup semi, and, with relegation a fate unlikely to befall them, face an elongated diminuendo to their season.

From The Guardian • Apr. 21, 2021

It wasn’t an anticlimax — more like a diminuendo.

From New York Times • Apr. 25, 2017

In Mitchell’s case, the diminuendo was especially long, and his continued expectations for himself much higher.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 20, 2015

Whatever the cause, there began from this time, a diminuendo which has grown fainter until in 1904 the 15th Amendment was heard no more.

From The Negro and the elective franchise. A Series Of Papers And A Sermon (The American Negro Academy. Occasional Papers, No. 11.) by Cook, Charles C.