allegro

American  

[uh-ley-groh, uh-leg-roh, ahl-le-graw] / əˈleɪ groʊ, əˈlɛg roʊ, ɑlˈlɛ grɔ /

adjective

1. brisk or rapid in tempo.

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noun

plural

allegros

1. an allegro movement.

allegro British  

/ -ˈlɛɡ-, əˈleɪɡrəʊ /

adjective

1. (to be performed) quickly, in a brisk lively manner

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noun

1. a piece or passage to be performed in this manner

allegro Cultural  

1. A brisk, lively musical tempo. Allegro is Italian for “cheerful.”

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Etymology

Origin of allegro

1625–35; < Italian < Latin alacer brisk. alacrity

Example Sentences

“I have long been thinking of abandoning these nonsensical terms allegro, andante, adagio, presto,” Beethoven wrote in an 1817 letter to Hofrat von Mosel, “and Mälzel’s metronome gives us the best opportunity to do so.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2023

They brought dynamic agility to the opening allegro of No. 8 — Watkins’s cello sneaking up and pouncing into fizzy bursts of violin.

From Washington Post • Dec. 10, 2022

The music becomes darker, more elusive and textured, with each variation as instruments enter, building steadily in intensity until a chorale calms things down, leading to an extended allegro alive with industrious counterpoint.

From New York Times • Dec. 30, 2021

Where golf architects hear an allegro and an adagio, championship officials hear cash registers.

From Golf Digest • Aug. 29, 2016

Gasping for air like I just completed a grand allegro combination.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day