fugue
Fugue (noun) means a musical composition in which a melody is introduced by one voice and then echoed and layered by others. Example: “Bach's fugues are famous for their intricate, interweaving melodies.”
How to use fugue
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA layered musical form where a melody is passed between voices, or a rare psychological state involving memory loss and wandering.
Word forms
fugued past tense, fugues plural, fugues singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Bach's _____ are famous for their intricate, interweaving melodies.
Etymology
From Italian fuga, "flight," from Latin fugiō, "to flee" — the musical sense comes from one melodic line seeming to "flee" ahead of the others.
Synonyms
View more →Rhymes for fugue
See all rhymes for fugue →Frequently asked questions
What does “fugue” mean?
The word “fugue” means a musical composition in which a melody is introduced by one voice and then echoed and layered by others. In plain terms, a layered musical form where a melody is passed between voices, or a rare psychological state involving memory loss and wandering.
How do you pronounce “fugue”?
“Fugue” is pronounced FYG (/ˈfyɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fugue” in a sentence?
Here is “fugue” used in a sentence: “Bach's fugues are famous for their intricate, interweaving melodies.”
What part of speech is “fugue”?
“Fugue” is a noun.
Where does the word “fugue” come from?
The word “fugue” comes from Latin. From Italian fuga, "flight," from Latin fugiō, "to flee" — the musical sense comes from one melodic line seeming to "flee" ahead of the others.
How many meanings does “fugue” have?
“Fugue” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a musical composition in which a melody is introduced by one voice and then echoed and layered by others.