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noun

allegro

uh-LEHG-roh

Allegro (noun) means a musical tempo marking meaning fast and lively, or a passage played at that speed. Example: “The symphony opens with a brisk allegro.”

noun
1
A musical tempo marking meaning fast and lively, or a passage played at that speed.
"The symphony opens with a brisk allegro."
"The pianist raced through the allegro section."
adverb
1
In music, played at a quick, lively pace.
"The score is marked to be played allegro."

How to use allegro

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA musical instruction meaning "play this quickly and with energy."

Common pairings
allegro movement marked allegro

Word forms

allegros plural

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Test yourself on “allegro” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The symphony opens with a brisk _____.

Etymology

Borrowed directly from Italian allegro, "cheerful, lively," the word Italian composers used to mark a fast tempo.

Origin: Italian

Rhymes for allegro

See all rhymes for allegro →

Frequently asked questions

What does “allegro” mean?

The word “allegro” means a musical tempo marking meaning fast and lively, or a passage played at that speed. In plain terms, a musical instruction meaning "play this quickly and with energy.".

How do you pronounce “allegro”?

“Allegro” is pronounced uh-LEHG-roh (/əˈlɛɡɹoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “allegro” in a sentence?

Here is “allegro” used in a sentence: “The symphony opens with a brisk allegro.”

What part of speech is “allegro”?

Depending on how it is used, “allegro” can be a noun and an adverb.

Where does the word “allegro” come from?

The word “allegro” comes from Italian. Borrowed directly from Italian allegro, "cheerful, lively," the word Italian composers used to mark a fast tempo.

How many meanings does “allegro” have?

“Allegro” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a musical tempo marking meaning fast and lively, or a passage played at that speed.

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