andante

[ ahn-dahn-tey, an-dan-tee; Italian ahn-dahn-te ]
/ ɑnˈdɑn teɪ, ænˈdæn ti; Italian ɑnˈdɑn tɛ /
Music.

adjective, adverb

moderately slow and even.

noun, plural an·dan·tes.

an andante movement or piece.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of andante

1735–45; < Italian: literally, walking, present participle of andare to walk, go (see -ant); etymology disputed, but often alleged: < Vulgar Latin *ambitare, derivative of Latin ambitus circular motion, roundabout journey (see ambit); perhaps, alternatively, early Latin borrowing < Gaulish *andā-, akin to Latin pandere to spread (hence, stride); compare passus step, pace (action noun *pand-tu-), equivalent to Old Irish ēs footprint, track

Words nearby andante

andaman and nicobar islands, andaman islands, andaman sea, andamanese, andamento, andante, andantino, andean, andean community of nations, andean condor, anderlecht
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for andante

British Dictionary definitions for andante

andante
/ (ænˈdænteɪ) music /

adjective, adverb

(to be performed) at a moderately slow tempo

noun

a passage or piece to be performed in this manner

Word Origin for andante

C18: Italian: going, from andare to go, from Latin ambulāre to walk
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012