adv
presto
PREHS-toh
Presto (adv) means a musical direction meaning very fast; also used to mean something happens suddenly, as if by magic. Example: “The pianist raced through the final movement, marked presto.”
adv
1
A musical direction meaning very fast; also used to mean something happens suddenly, as if by magic.
"The pianist raced through the final movement, marked presto."
"Mix the ingredients, wait five minutes, and presto — dinner is ready."
intj
1
Said by a magician at the moment a trick is revealed, like "ta-da".
"The magician waved his wand and said, "Presto!" as the rabbit appeared."
How to use presto
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA flashy way of saying "suddenly" or "just like that", borrowed from magicians and musicians.
Common pairings
presto chango
and presto
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Word forms
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The pianist raced through the final movement, marked _____.
Etymology
From Italian presto, "quickly."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for presto
See all rhymes for presto →Frequently asked questions
What does “presto” mean?
The word “presto” means a musical direction meaning very fast; also used to mean something happens suddenly, as if by magic. In plain terms, a flashy way of saying "suddenly" or "just like that", borrowed from magicians and musicians.
How do you pronounce “presto”?
“Presto” is pronounced PREHS-toh (/ˈpɹɛstoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “presto” in a sentence?
Here is “presto” used in a sentence: “The pianist raced through the final movement, marked presto.”
What part of speech is “presto”?
Depending on how it is used, “presto” can be an adverb and an intj.
Where does the word “presto” come from?
The word “presto” comes from Italian. From Italian presto, "quickly.".
How many meanings does “presto” have?
“Presto” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a musical direction meaning very fast; also used to mean something happens suddenly, as if by magic.
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