secco: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Formal (Music, Art)
Quick answer
What does “secco” mean?
A style of recitative in opera or oratorio, accompanied sparsely (originally by harpsichord), characterized by rapid, speech-like delivery.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of recitative in opera or oratorio, accompanied sparsely (originally by harpsichord), characterized by rapid, speech-like delivery.
Can be used metaphorically to describe any form of expression that is dry, sharp, curt, or without emotional warmth or ornamentation. In art (fresco secco), it refers to painting on dry plaster.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally technical in both dialects.
Connotations
Conveys precision, historical practice, and a specific aesthetic of dryness or lack of sentimentality.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general discourse, confined to specialized contexts. Equally rare in both UK and US English outside those fields.
Grammar
How to Use “secco” in a Sentence
The [RECITATIVE] is/be performed secco.[COMPOSER] uses secco for [DRAMATIC PURPOSE].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “secco” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not used as a verb.
American English
- Not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- She sang the line secco, as indicated in the score.
American English
- The recitative should be performed secco, with just the harpsichord.
adjective
British English
- The rehearsal focused on the secco passages in Act Two.
- Fresco secco is a different technique from true fresco.
American English
- The director asked for a more secco delivery from the baritone.
- This secco recitative moves the plot forward quickly.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in musicology and art history papers to describe specific techniques.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Standard term in classical music performance, composition, and critique; also in art conservation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “secco”
- Using it as a general synonym for 'dry'. Mispronouncing it /'si:koʊ/ or /'sek.o/. Using it outside of art/music contexts without clear metaphorical intent.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specialised loanword used almost exclusively in classical music and art history contexts.
Only in a very deliberate, metaphorical way (e.g., 'his secco wit'). It would sound highly literary or affected in everyday speech.
'Recitative accompagnato' or simply 'accompagnato', which is accompanied by the full orchestra and is more melodic and dramatic.
It is an Italian loanword meaning 'dry'. It entered English terminology in the context of the Italian musical and artistic traditions.
A style of recitative in opera or oratorio, accompanied sparsely (originally by harpsichord), characterized by rapid, speech-like delivery.
Secco is usually technical/formal (music, art) in register.
Secco: in British English it is pronounced ˈsekəʊ, and in American English it is pronounced ˈsɛkoʊ. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly. Metaphorical: 'His response was secco, offering no comfort.'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of SECCO as SEC(ond) CO(nductor) keeping things dry and simple, or associate it with 'SEC'retary typing in a dry, rapid, clipped manner.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS MUSIC / STYLE IS TEXTURE. A 'secco' manner is dry, rough, unadorned communication.
Practice
Quiz
In which field would you LEAST likely encounter the term 'secco'?