noun
Uncommon
sonata
suh-NAH-tuh
Sonata (noun) means a piece of instrumental music, often for piano or piano with one other instrument, written in several contrasting movements. Example: “She performed a Beethoven piano sonata at the recital.”
noun
1
A piece of instrumental music, often for piano or piano with one other instrument, written in several contrasting movements.
"She performed a Beethoven piano sonata at the recital."
"He is composing a sonata for violin and piano."
How to use sonata
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA classical music piece, usually for one or two instruments, split into several movements.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
piano sonata
violin sonata
compose a sonata
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Word forms
- Plural
- sonatas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She performed a Beethoven piano _____ at the recital.
Etymology
From Italian sonata, "something played" (as opposed to a cantata, "something sung"), from sonare, "to sound" — ultimately from Latin sonare.
Rhymes for sonata
See all rhymes for sonata →Frequently asked questions
What does “sonata” mean?
The word “sonata” means a piece of instrumental music, often for piano or piano with one other instrument, written in several contrasting movements. In plain terms, a classical music piece, usually for one or two instruments, split into several movements.
How do you pronounce “sonata”?
“Sonata” is pronounced suh-NAH-tuh (/səˈnɑːtə/ in IPA).
How do you use “sonata” in a sentence?
Here is “sonata” used in a sentence: “She performed a Beethoven piano sonata at the recital.”
What part of speech is “sonata”?
“Sonata” is a noun.
Where does the word “sonata” come from?
The word “sonata” comes from Latin. From Italian sonata, "something played" (as opposed to a cantata, "something sung"), from sonare, "to sound" — ultimately from Latin sonare.
Is “sonata” a common word?
“Sonata” is an uncommon word in modern English.
