mezzo forte

adjective or adverb

mez·​zo for·​te ˌmet-(ˌ)sō-ˈfȯr-ˌtā How to pronounce mezzo forte (audio)
ˌmed-(ˌ)zō-,
-ˈfȯr-tē
: moderately loud
used as a direction in music

Word History

Etymology

Italian

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mezzo forte was in 1811

Dictionary Entries Near mezzo forte

Cite this Entry

“Mezzo forte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mezzo%20forte. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mezzo forte

adjective or adverb
mez·​zo for·​te ˌmet-sō-ˈfȯr-ˌtā How to pronounce mezzo forte (audio)
ˌmed-zō-,
-ˈfȯrt-ē
: played or sung with medium loudness
used as a direction in music
Etymology

Italian, from mezzo "half, medium" and forte "strong"

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