pianissimo

[ pee-uh-nis-uh-moh; Italian pyah-nees-see-maw ]

adjective

1. very soft.

adverb

1. very softly.

noun

, plural pi·a·nis·si·mos.

1. a passage or movement played in this way.

pianissimo

/ pɪəˈnɪsɪˌməʊ /

adjective

1. music (to be performed) very quietly pp

pianissimo

1. A musical direction meaning “to be performed very softly”; the opposite of fortissimo .

Word History and Origins

Origin of pianissimo¹

1715–25; < Italian, superlative of piano piano ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of pianissimo¹

C18: from Italian, superlative of piano soft

Example Sentences

A strong climax is worked up on the second page, which dies away on the third to a pianissimo of utter despair.

From Project Gutenberg

He raised one hand deprecatingly, while the other still weaved in and out in a pianissimo accompaniment.

From Project Gutenberg

De Pachmann plays it much faster, and with such a beautiful pianissimo!

From Project Gutenberg

He used to suggest a diminuendo by crouching down more and more, and at a pianissimo he would almost creep under the desk.

From Project Gutenberg

In one place there are two holds, one immediately after the other, of which the second is pianissimo.

From Project Gutenberg