continuo

American  

[kuhn-tin-yoo-oh] / kənˈtɪn yuˌoʊ /

noun

Music.

plural

continuos

1. a keyboard accompanying part consisting originally of a figured bass, which in modern scores is usually realized, and serving to provide or fill out the harmonic texture.

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continuo British  

/ kənˈtɪnjʊˌəʊ /

noun

1. music

   1. a shortened form of basso continuo See thorough bass

   2. ( as modifier )

      a continuo accompaniment

2. the thorough-bass part as played on a keyboard instrument, often supported by a cello, bassoon, etc

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Etymology

Origin of continuo

1715–25; < Italian: literally, continuous

Example Sentences

Harpsichord and viola da gamba act as soloists as well as continuo; a modern lute song is a lullaby.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Ser capaz de tratar a sus pacientes con éxito lo hace ser increíblemente optimista, incluso aunque al mismo tiempo esté preocupado por el incremento continuo de las tasas de suicidio en Estados Unidos.

From New York Times • Mar. 17, 2023

He shunned what he called the “gigantomania” of Wilhelm Furtwängler, under whom he would uncomfortably play continuo for Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” in 1950.

From New York Times • Feb. 17, 2022

Gracias a mi familia y a mi equipo Boomstick23 por su apoyo continuo.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 27, 2018

The basso continuo had been in use for some time before this.

From Some Forerunners of Italian Opera by Henderson, W. J. (William James)