crescendo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, technical (music)
Quick answer
What does “crescendo” mean?
A gradual increase in loudness or intensity, especially in music.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A gradual increase in loudness or intensity, especially in music.
A peak or climax of increasing intensity in any situation, not just musical.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use the musical and metaphorical senses. The metaphorical use is slightly more established in British English.
Connotations
Connotes a dramatic, often emotional, build-up. In American English, it is sometimes used more loosely for any increase.
Frequency
More frequent in British English in written texts; equally understood in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “crescendo” in a Sentence
[verb] + a crescendo (reach, build to)a crescendo + [preposition] + [noun] (of sound, of violence)crescendo + [verb] (crescendoed)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crescendo” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The orchestra crescendoed magnificently into the final movement.
- Cheers crescendoed from the stands as the winning goal was scored.
American English
- The argument crescendoed until the neighbours complained.
- The music crescendoes right before the guitar solo.
adverb
British English
- (Extremely rare and non-standard. The Italian 'crescendo' can function as an adverb in musical notation, meaning 'gradually getting louder'.)
American English
- (See British note. Not used in general language.)
adjective
British English
- The crescendo effect was achieved by adding more instruments.
- (Rare as a standalone adjective)
American English
- (Rare. Usually appears in compound terms like 'crescendo pedal' on an organ.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'The campaign reached a crescendo of publicity just before the launch.'
Academic
Used in musicology, literary analysis, and history to describe building tensions. 'The political protests reached a crescendo in the summer of 1968.'
Everyday
Used metaphorically for noise or emotional situations. 'The children's arguing reached a deafening crescendo.'
Technical
Primarily a musical term denoting a specific dynamic instruction for performers.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crescendo”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crescendo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crescendo”
- Using it to mean 'a loud noise' rather than 'a build-up to a loud noise'. Incorrect: *'There was a sudden crescendo.' Correct: 'The noise built to a sudden crescendo.'
- Misspelling as 'crescendo' (with an 'a').
- Using it as a verb incorrectly: *'The music crescendoed loudly.' (Redundant, as 'crescendo' implies increasing loudness).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, though some purists object, it is commonly used as a verb (e.g., 'The noise crescendoed'). It is more accepted in its metaphorical than its strict musical sense.
The direct opposite is a 'decrescendo' or 'diminuendo', both meaning a gradual decrease in loudness.
No, this is a common mistake. A crescendo is the *process* of increasing loudness, not the point of maximum volume itself (which is the 'climax' or 'peak').
No, it is frequently used metaphorically for anything that increases in intensity, such as emotion, violence, activity, or argument.
A gradual increase in loudness or intensity, especially in music.
Crescendo is usually formal, literary, technical (music) in register.
Crescendo: in British English it is pronounced /krɪˈʃen.dəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /krəˈʃen.doʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A crescendo of... (e.g., a crescendo of criticism)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CRESCENT moon that grows bigger. A CRESCENDO is a sound that grows bigger and louder.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSITY IS VOLUME / A PROCESS IS A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'crescendo' MOST appropriate?