scherzo

[ skert-soh ]

noun

, Music.

, plural scher·zos, scher·zi [skert, -see].

1. a movement or passage of light or playful character, especially as the second or third movement of a sonata or a symphony.

scherzo

/ ˈskɛətsəʊ /

noun

1. See minuet
   a brisk lively movement, developed from the minuet, with a contrastive middle section (a trio) See minuet

Word History and Origins

Origin of scherzo¹

First recorded in 1850–55; from Italian: literally, “joke,” derivative of scherzare “to joke,” of Langobardic origin (compare German Scherz “a joke, jest”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of scherzo¹

Italian: joke, of Germanic origin; compare Middle High German scherzen to jest

Example Sentences

They had to make decisions, like determining whether a sketch indicated the starting point of a scherzo, which is a very lively part of the symphony, typically in the third movement.

From Popular-Science

The Scherzo is neither good nor bad; the trio is so innocent that it would be almost too infantile for a Sniegourotchka.

From Project Gutenberg

A note in his handwriting states that they were addressed to no one in particular, and that they were merely a poetical scherzo.

From Project Gutenberg

And then what does that irritating Lætitia Wilson do but say suddenly, "I'm quite ready for the scherzo, dear, if you are."

From Project Gutenberg

A very familiar, yet always fresh and intensely interesting composition is this scherzo.

From Project Gutenberg

Themes for the Allegro, Andante and Scherzo are found in sketchbooks belonging, at the very latest, to the years 1800 and 1801.

From Project Gutenberg