staccato: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical (Music), Literary
Quick answer
What does “staccato” mean?
A style of musical performance where notes are played in a detached, separated manner, with distinct breaks between them.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A style of musical performance where notes are played in a detached, separated manner, with distinct breaks between them.
Any speech, sound, or movement that is characterized by short, sharp, and abrupt elements, lacking smooth flow or connection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English in musical contexts due to historical classical music traditions, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “staccato” in a Sentence
played staccatodelivered in a staccato fashiona staccato of [noun] (e.g., gunfire)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “staccato” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The composer instructed the violins to staccato the passage.
- He tends to staccato his words when nervous.
American English
- The arranger wants the horns to staccato that line.
- She staccatoed her sentences for dramatic effect.
adverb
British English
- Play these quavers staccato.
- She spoke staccato, pausing after every few words.
American English
- The melody is marked to be performed staccato.
- The machine gun fired staccato into the night.
adjective
British English
- The pianist's staccato touch was remarkably clear.
- We heard the staccato tapping of rain on the conservatory roof.
American English
- The piece requires a very staccato articulation.
- His staccato laugh echoed through the quiet hall.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might describe a choppy presentation or disjointed market data.
Academic
Used in musicology, linguistics (speech analysis), and literary criticism.
Everyday
Uncommon. Understood by educated speakers to describe abrupt sounds or speech.
Technical
Core usage in music notation and performance. Also used in sound engineering.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “staccato”
- Using it as a verb ('He staccatoed the notes') is non-standard. Confusing it with 'spiccato' (a bowed string technique). Overusing in non-musical descriptions.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, though less common. It can refer to the style itself (e.g., 'The staccato was overdone') or a series of staccato sounds (e.g., 'a staccato of applause').
The direct opposite is 'legato', which means notes are played or sung smoothly and connected without separation.
Yes. Although it's an adverb/adjective borrowed from Italian, it is fully naturalised in English and can take comparative/superlative forms (e.g., 'more staccato', 'the most staccato passage').
No. Staccato refers to the separation and shortness of notes, not their speed. Notes can be played staccato at any tempo, from very slow to very fast.
A style of musical performance where notes are played in a detached, separated manner, with distinct breaks between them.
Staccato is usually formal, technical (music), literary in register.
Staccato: in British English it is pronounced /stəˈkɑːtəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /stəˈkɑːtoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a staccato of gunfire”
- “the staccato of typewriter keys”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a stack of cards being flicked one by one – each card makes a short, separate 'tack' sound: STACK-a-tack-o.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CONTINUUM (staccato breaks the continuum into discrete points). COMMUNICATION IS MUSIC (speech can have musical qualities like rhythm).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'staccato' used most precisely and originally?