adagio

[ uh-dah-joh, -zhee-oh; Italian ah-dah-jaw ]

adverb

1. Music. in a leisurely manner; slowly.

adjective

1. Music. slow.

noun

, plural a·da·gios.

1. Music. an adagio movement or piece.
2. Dance.
   1. a sequence of well-controlled, graceful movements performed as a display of skill.
   2. a duet by a man and a woman or mixed trio emphasizing difficult technical feats.
   3. (especially in ballet) a love-duet sequence in a pas de deux.

adagio

/ aˈdadʒo; əˈdɑːdʒɪˌəʊ /

adjective

1. (to be performed) slowly

noun

1. a movement or piece to be performed slowly
2. ballet a slow section of a pas de deux

adagio

1. A very slow musical tempo .

Word History and Origins

Origin of adagio¹

1740–50; < Italian, for ad agio at ease; agio < Old Provençal ais or Old French aise ( ease )

Word History and Origins

Origin of adagio¹

C18: Italian, from ad at + agio ease

Example Sentences

Kellow thinks “moved at a perfect adagio tempo that was nevertheless surprisingly novel and hardly ever dull.”

From The Daily Beast

The coming of the storm (repetition of the theme which follows the adagio and the further development of it).

From Project Gutenberg

After the adagio from the First Symphony—also included in the programme—even a slight hissing was heard.

From Project Gutenberg

Karasowski says mistakingly that the movement referred to is the Adagio of the E minor Concerto.

From Project Gutenberg

And Schumann exclaims: "What are ten editorial crowns compared to one such Adagio as that in the second concerto!"

From Project Gutenberg

The Adagio is very fine in its way, but such is its cloying sweetness that one longs for something bracing and active.

From Project Gutenberg