noun

crescendo

krih-SHEHN-doh

noun

A gradual increase in intensity, loudness, or excitement, often building to a peak.

"The applause built to a crescendo as the singer hit the final note."

"The campaign reached a crescendo in the final week before the vote."

How to Use Crescendo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA steady build-up to a high point.

Common mistake

Strictly it means a build-up TO a climax, not the climax itself — but "reach a crescendo" is now common and widely accepted.

Common pairings

build to a crescendo reach a crescendo

crescendoed past tense, crescendos plural, crescendi plural, crescendoes plural, crescendoes singular, crescendos singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

The applause built to a _____ as the singer hit the final note.

Borrowed from Italian crescendo, "growing", from crescere, "to grow" — originally a musical instruction to play increasingly loudly.

amplification ascension boost gain growth increase loudening spike surge upsurge

decrescendo diminuendo climax conclusion decrease fall

abandon abbreviation increase add achieve fall finish lose

endo kendo innuendo Nintendo

amplification ascension boost gain growth increase loudening spike surge upsurge decrescendo diminuendo