cresc.

IPA/kɹˈɛsk/
IPA/kɹˈɛsk/

cresc. — abbreviation

1. a shortened written form of "crescendo" used in sheet music to show that the sou

1.abbreviationB2
Definition

a shortened written form of "crescendo" used in sheet music to show that the sound should gradually become louder.

Example

Yuna circled the cresc. marking before the violins entered in measure twelve.

cresc. marking in a printed score

During rehearsal, Caleb reminded the brass section to follow the cresc. into the chorus.

follow the cresc. into + section

Common collocations
  • cresc. marking
  • follow the cresc.
  • write cresc. above
  • play through the cresc.
  • cresc. into the chorus
Synonyms
  • crescendo

    the full form, used in speech and fuller music descriptions

Antonyms
  • decresc.

    written abbreviation for becoming gradually softer

  • dim.

    common short form of diminuendo, also meaning gradually softer

Grammar Patterns

mark + cresc. above + line

follow the cresc.

cresc. into + section

Usage Note

Used almost only in written music. In lessons and rehearsals, musicians usually say the full word "crescendo" even when the score itself prints "cresc.".

Common Mistakes

The conductor said "cresc." during rehearsal.
The conductor said "crescendo" during rehearsal.
'cresc.' is mainly a written marking on the page; in speech, musicians usually use the full word.
The note says cresc. suddenly.
The note says cresc. over four bars.
'cresc.' signals a gradual increase in loudness, not an instant jump.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: abbreviation/1

"Cresc." and "crescendo" point to the same musical instruction, but they belong to different contexts. "Cresc." is the compact form printed on a score, where space is limited and players need to spot directions quickly. "Crescendo" is the full word that teachers, conductors, and musicians usually say aloud when they discuss the passage. By contrast, "decresc." and "dim." are opposite markings: they tell performers to grow softer, not louder. A conductor may mark "cresc." above the violins on the page, then say "make the crescendo slower here" during rehearsal. That difference between page shorthand and spoken full form is the key distinction learners should remember.

crescendo ↗decresc.dim.

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • follow the cresc.
  • write cresc. above the line
  • cresc. into the chorus

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinItalianEnglish

"Cresc." is the shortened written form of Italian "crescendo", a musical direction meaning "growing". The Italian word comes from the Latin verb "crescere", meaning "to grow". English kept the full Italian word for the instruction, while printed scores often shorten it to "cresc." to save space on the staff.