molto

American  

[mohl-toh, mawl-taw] / ˈmoʊl toʊ, ˈmɔl tɔ /

adverb

Music.

1. very.

   molto adagio; molto allegro.

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molto British  

/ ˈmɒltəʊ /

adverb

1. music (preceded or followed by a musical direction, esp a tempo marking) very

   allegro molto

   molto adagio

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Etymology

Origin of molto

1795–1805; < Italian < Latin multum, adv. use of accusative singular neuter of multus much

Explanation

Molto is always only the first part of an instruction in music, because it means "much" or "very." Very what? Much what? That’s in the other part of the instruction! For example, molto più animato means "much more lively," and molto espressivo means "very expressively" or "with much feeling." If adagio means "slow," what do you think molto adagio means? Molto is an Italian word and comes from Latin multum, which means "much" or "many." It’s related to the English form multi- as in multicultural, "including or involving many cultures." You can notice the same root in multiple and multiply as well.

Example Sentences

Cavalli’s signature style — “molto sexy, molto animal print and molto, molto Italiano,” as British newspaper The Independent once described it — remained essentially unchanged throughout his long career.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 12, 2024

The mournful molto adagio seemed to stretch time as the ensemble coalesced into rich, golden chords, with Setzer tracing graceful lines around them.

From Washington Post • Dec. 10, 2022

“Io parlo un po l’italiano, ma no molto bene,” you will say if you are subsequently inspired to take Italian language lessons.

From Slate • Dec. 20, 2018

These 90 minutes were molto, molto longo indeed.

From The Guardian • Apr. 12, 2018

Zola is molto agitato, kicking acorns all around the balcony.

From "The Unfinished Angel" by Sharon Creech