diminuendo

American  

[dih-min-yoo-en-doh] / dɪˌmɪn yuˈɛn doʊ /

adjective

1. gradually reducing in force or loudness; decrescendo (opposed to crescendo).

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noun

plural

diminuendoes

1. a gradual reduction of force or loudness.

2. a diminuendo passage. >

diminuendo British  

/ dɪˌmɪnjʊˈɛndəʊ /

noun

1. 1.  dim.  a gradual decrease in loudness or the musical direction indicating this

   2. a musical passage affected by a diminuendo

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adjective

1. gradually decreasing in loudness

2. with a diminuendo

Etymology

Origin of diminuendo

1765–75; < Italian, present participle of diminuire; see diminish

Explanation

In music, diminuendo means gradually growing more quiet. When the sheet music calls for a diminuendo, that's definitely not the time to blow your trumpet as hard as you can. As they play, musicians don't simply follow the notes; musical notation includes a lot of additional information, including how fast to play, whether to be loud or quiet, and when to increase or decrease the volume. Diminuendo, which comes from the Latin root deminuere, or "diminish," instructs a pianist or cellist to quiet their playing, transitioning to a more gentle sound.

Example Sentences

So I ran to the music, and, sure enough, that’s exactly what C.P.E. was asking for — no diminuendo, no rallentando, nothing.

From New York Times • Jan. 18, 2022

Saints meanwhile are coming off the back of their no-show in the FA Cup semi, and, with relegation a fate unlikely to befall them, face an elongated diminuendo to their season.

From The Guardian • Apr. 21, 2021

Just as the emotional transformation reaches its climax, the music startles with a shimmering, introspective diminuendo that drifts down from the heavens, a passage Ms. Netrebko navigates with trembling and bewitched delicacy.

From New York Times • Dec. 7, 2018

In Mitchell’s case, the diminuendo was especially long, and his continued expectations for himself much higher.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 20, 2015

The office people gave it to me, and never do I look but with a shiver at this dumb record in diminuendo of agony and sacrifice.

From Careers of Danger and Daring by Moffett, Cleveland