noun
Uncommon
tempo
TEHM-poh
Tempo (noun) means the speed at which a piece of music is played, or the beat that sets that speed. Example: “The conductor picked up the tempo for the final movement.”
noun
1
The speed at which a piece of music is played, or the beat that sets that speed.
"The conductor picked up the tempo for the final movement."
"This song has a slow, relaxed tempo."
"The drummer kept a steady tempo while the singer caught her breath."
2
The overall pace or rhythm of an activity or event.
"The team needs to raise the tempo if they want to win this game."
"The pace of life in the village has a gentle tempo."
"Once the deadline approached, the tempo in the office picked up sharply."
How to use tempo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow fast something moves or happens — most often used for music, but also for the pace of a game or activity.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fast tempo
set the tempo
change of tempo
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Word forms
- Plural
- tempos, tempi
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The conductor picked up the _____ for the final movement.
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian tempo, "time," from Latin tempus.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “tempo” mean?
The word “tempo” means the speed at which a piece of music is played, or the beat that sets that speed. In plain terms, how fast something moves or happens — most often used for music, but also for the pace of a game or activity.
How do you pronounce “tempo”?
“Tempo” is pronounced TEHM-poh (/ˈtɛm.poʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tempo” in a sentence?
Here is “tempo” used in a sentence: “The conductor picked up the tempo for the final movement.”
What part of speech is “tempo”?
“Tempo” is a noun.
Where does the word “tempo” come from?
The word “tempo” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Italian tempo, "time," from Latin tempus.
Is “tempo” a common word?
“Tempo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tempo” have?
“Tempo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the speed at which a piece of music is played, or the beat that sets that speed.
What is the difference between tempo and rhythm in music?
Tempo refers specifically to the speed at which a piece of music is played, measured for instance in beats per minute, while rhythm refers to the pattern of long and short notes within that speed. A song can keep the same rhythm while its tempo speeds up or slows down.
How is "tempo" used outside of music?
Tempo is often used figuratively to describe the overall pace of an activity or event, such as the tempo of a football match or a business negotiation. In this sense it means the general speed or rhythm of how things are unfolding, not a musical measurement.
What does it mean to "set the tempo" in a non-musical context?
To set the tempo means to establish the pace at which an activity proceeds, often implying that one person or event controls how fast things move. It is commonly used in sports, business, and other competitive or collaborative settings.
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