intermezzo

[ in-ter-met-soh, -med-zoh ]

noun

, plural in·ter·mez·zos, in·ter·mez·zi [in-ter-, met, -see, -, med, -zee],

1. a short dramatic, musical, or other entertainment of light character, introduced between the acts of a drama or opera.
2. a short musical composition between main divisions of an extended musical work.
3. a short, independent musical composition.

intermezzo

/ ˌɪntəˈmɛtsəʊ /

noun

1. a short piece of instrumental music composed for performance between the acts or scenes of an opera, drama, etc
2. an instrumental piece either inserted between two longer movements in an extended composition or intended for independent performance
3. another name for interlude

Word History and Origins

Origin of intermezzo¹

1805–15; < Italian < Late Latin intermedium; intermediary

Word History and Origins

Origin of intermezzo¹

C19: from Italian, from Late Latin intermedium interval; see intermediate

Example Sentences

Now they appear more as a minor intermezzo before the big upheaval to come.

From New York Times

Then swirling clouds are projected onto the scrim — a tacky recurring “visual intermezzo,” as it is called in the credits — and a maid enters.

From New York Times

And they fear that it can happen again — that America has changed, and that Mr. Biden is “an intermezzo” between more populist, nationalist presidents, said Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff, vice president of the German Marshall Fund.

From New York Times

After our “momentary intermezzo” on this Earth, we will soon enjoy again “the lost paradise of non-existence.”

From Washington Post

During one stretch, she found common ground between two of Brahms’s searching intermezzos and a few of Chopin’s mercurial, lilting mazurkas.

From New York Times