presto

American  

[pres-toh] / ˈprɛs toʊ /

adverb

1. quickly, rapidly, or immediately.

2. at a rapid tempo (used as a musical direction).

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adjective

1. quick or rapid.

2. executed at a rapid tempo (used as a musical direction).

noun

plural

prestos

1. Music. a movement or piece in quick tempo.

presto British  

/ ˈprɛstəʊ /

adjective

1. music to be played very fast

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adverb

1. immediately, suddenly, or at once (esp in the phrase hey presto )

noun

1. music a movement or passage directed to be played very quickly

Etymology

Origin of presto

1590–1600; < Italian: quick, quickly < Late Latin praestus (adj.) ready, Latin praestō (adv.) at hand

Example Sentences

Whenever this occurred, I would simply read a passage or two from his book and presto, I was back in the game with every no becoming a yes!

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 17, 2026

A legal success, and presto, it’s alive again.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 25, 2024

Then, presto — all that data appeared on the Android.

From New York Times • Apr. 3, 2024

A blob that learns to walk could share genes with a squiggle that swims, and presto, you’d have a walking blob-squiggle.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2023

For example, if you are about to run a race, you visualize yourself running the race and crossing the finish line first, and presto!

From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech