up-tempo

[ uhp-tem-poh ]

noun

, plural up-tem·pos, up-tem·pi [uhp, -tem-pee].

1. a bouncy, fast tempo in music.

adjective

1. characterized by a fast and bouncy tempo.

Word History and Origins

Origin of up-tempo¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

“Lynne has a dynamic and forward-thinking offensive mind, and her up-tempo style fits perfectly with the way we want to play,” Pebley said.

From Los Angeles Times

“I want to send people out with something up-tempo.”

From Los Angeles Times

The gloomy sci-fi aesthetic was finally punctured by an up-tempo performance from French band Phoenix, who tore into two hits.

From BBC

In 1995 she and other transplanted Detroit skaters, who were used to up-tempo R&B, began to pool their money each week.

From New York Times

But the real gems are the demo and early session take for “Flesh for Fantasy,” which began as a searing, up-tempo number only to settle into the slower, more pronounced version that later took the music world by storm.

From Salon