pianissimo

American  

[pee-uh-nis-uh-moh, pyah-nees-see-maw] / ˌpi əˈnɪs əˌmoʊ, pyɑˈnis siˌmɔ /

adjective

1. very soft.

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adverb

1. very softly.

noun

plural

pianissimos

1. a passage or movement played in this way.

pianissimo British  

/ pɪəˈnɪsɪˌməʊ /

adjective

1.  pp.  music (to be performed) very quietly

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pianissimo Cultural  

1. A musical direction meaning “to be performed very softly”; the opposite of fortissimo.

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Etymology

Origin of pianissimo

1715–25; < Italian, superlative of piano piano ²

Explanation

When a musician performs something pianissimo, she plays very softly. If you're playing a pianissimo piece on the piano, your fingers will be gentle on the keys. You can use this word as an adverb or an adjective — in either case, it's a specific musical direction regarding the dynamics (or loudness) of a piece of music. On sheet music, pianissimo is often marked pp, to distinguish it from piano, which is simply "soft," rather than "very soft," and is usually marked with one p. There is, in fact, an even quieter designation called pianississimo, that's "very very soft."

Example Sentences

I told them, ‘Is there a way we can find space for rubato, pianissimo, glissando — all of that — so we can really play in the music?’

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2025

Then in that first sort of chorus, where it’s quieter, more pianissimo, “I’m defying gravity. I think it’s time to defy gravity,” she’s not quite sure.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2024

Making the best of the little you’ve got may or may not be the theme of “Morning Sun,” the pianissimo new play by Simon Stephens that opened Off Broadway on Wednesday.

From New York Times • Nov. 3, 2021

Ms. Freni had the ability to project even the softest pianissimo passages across a stage.

From Washington Post • Feb. 9, 2020

He was still singing—“Not much money, Oh! but honey”—fixing his cufflinks, parting his hair; but then he looked up and saw his sister—“Ain’t we got”—and pianissimo now—“fun”—fell silent.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides