rubato

American  

[roo-bah-toh, roo-bah-taw] / ruˈbɑ toʊ, ruˈbɑ tɔ /

adjective

1. having certain notes arbitrarily lengthened while others are correspondingly shortened, or vice versa.

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noun

plural

rubatos, rubati

1. a rubato phrase or passage.

2. a rubato performance.

adverb

1. in a rubato manner.

rubato British  

/ ruːˈbɑːtəʊ /

noun

1. flexibility of tempo in performance

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adjective

1. to be played with a flexible tempo

Etymology

Origin of rubato

1880–85; < Italian ( tempo ) rubato stolen (time), past participle of rubare to steal < Germanic; see rob

Explanation

In a rubato passage or piece of music, a performer can exercise some freedom with the tempo. They shouldn't lag behind or rush ahead of the main beat, but they don't have to sing each note right on time as written. Rubato is short for tempo rubato in Italian, which literally means "stolen time." That's because any particular note might be held longer than written, but in order not to fall behind when doing this, the performer must "steal" time from other notes, singing them more quickly than written or not holding them as long. Singing or playing rubato — a bit faster here, and a bit slower there — allows the performer to add some interest and personal expression to the piece, so it doesn't sound mechanical.

Example Sentences

I told them, ‘Is there a way we can find space for rubato, pianissimo, glissando — all of that — so we can really play in the music?’

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2025

Once Judith LeClair’s opening bassoon solo unfurled with liberal rubato, his “Rite” remained organic, in its wildness more unpredictably frightening than van Zweden’s brash yet controlled account.

From New York Times • Jan. 13, 2023

If Babayan’s recourse to romantic rubato occasionally threatened to tarry behind Lintu’s beat, Trifonov was there to keep things on course.

From New York Times • Nov. 18, 2022

Unwritten flourishes — a crescendo here, some rubato there — add to the impetuous atmosphere.

From New York Times • Jun. 30, 2022

We also find in the Mazurka frequent indications for the use of the so-called "tempo rubato," a proper conception of which is so essential in the performance of Chopin's music.

From Music: An Art and a Language by Spalding, Walter Raymond