adagio

adagio — adverb

IPA/əˈdɑː.dʒi.əʊ/
KK[ədˈɑʒiˌo]IPA/əˈdɑː.dʒi.oʊ/

1. written on a score to tell musicians that the next part should be played at a sl

1.adverbC1
Definition

written on a score to tell musicians that the next part should be played at a slow, relaxed speed

Example

The teacher wrote adagio above the second page of the sonata.

music marking: write adagio above a passage

On the new score, adagio appears just before the violin solo.

Common collocations
  • write adagio
  • mark adagio
  • add adagio
  • adagio marking
Synonyms
  • lento

    another Italian marking for slow speed, often heavier or more drawn out

  • slowly

    plain English wording, not the traditional Italian score marking

Antonyms
  • allegro

    marks a faster and brighter speed

Grammar Patterns

write adagio above [passage]

mark [section] adagio

Usage Note

This sense names the instruction on the page itself. Distinguish from sense 2, which describes how the music is actually performed.

2. with the music moving at an unhurried speed and a calm, steady feel during perfo

2.adverbC1
Definition

with the music moving at an unhurried speed and a calm, steady feel during performance

Example

Christopher played the opening bars adagio to match the singer's breath.

pattern: play [piece] adagio

At rehearsal, the cellos played the hymn adagio and very softly.

Common collocations
  • play adagio
  • sing adagio
  • take adagio
  • keep adagio
Synonyms
  • slowly

    general English adverb; less specific than the musical term

  • lento

    another Italian tempo term, often suggesting an even heavier pace

Antonyms
  • allegro

    describes a quick, lively performance

  • presto

    indicates a very fast performance

Grammar Patterns

play [piece] adagio

sing [phrase] adagio

Usage Note

Usually describes the way a passage is performed, often after a verb such as play, sing, or take. Distinguish from sense 1, which refers to the written direction on the page.

Common Mistakes

The drummer played the march very adagio speed.
The drummer played the march adagio.
adagio already expresses the tempo, so do not add another speed noun after it.

adagio — adjective

IPA/əˈdɑːdʒiəʊ/
KK[ədˈɑʒiˌo]IPA/əˈdɑːdʒiəʊ/

adagio — noun

IPA/əˈdɑː.dʒi.əʊ/
KK[ədˈɑʒiˌo]IPA/əˈdɑː.dʒi.oʊ/

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/2

For musical speed, adagio suggests a slow tempo that still moves with calm shape and line. Andante is usually a little quicker and feels more like a natural walking pace. Lento is slow too, but it often sounds heavier or more drawn out. Largo is broader and grander, with an even wider, weightier feeling. Slowly can describe tempo in plain English, but it lacks the exact stylistic meaning of the Italian terms. A conductor might ask for a melody adagio to keep it warm and spacious, but choose andante when the same line should flow more easily.

andantelento ↗largoslowly ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • adagio movement
  • adagio passage
  • adagio section
  • adagio tempo

Phrases

  • mark adagio
  • play adagio

Etymology

ItalianEnglish

English borrowed adagio from Italian musical language. The Italian phrase ad agio meant 'at ease' or 'comfortably', which matches the idea of playing in a relaxed, unhurried way. Over time, the word came to name both the slow tempo marking on the page and the slow movement or ballet section performed at that speed.