crescendo

1 of 2

noun

cre·​scen·​do krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce crescendo (audio)
plural crescendos also crescendoes or crescendi krə-ˈshen-dē How to pronounce crescendo (audio)
Synonyms of crescendo
1
a
: a gradual increase
a crescendo of excitement
specifically : a gradual increase in volume of a musical passage
b
: the peak of a gradual increase : climax
… complaints about stifling smog conditions reach a crescendo …—DownBeat
2
: a crescendo musical passage
crescendo intransitive verb

Illustration of crescendo

Illustration of crescendo
  • mark indicating crescendo 2

crescendo

2 of 2

adverb or adjective

: with an increase in volume
—used as a direction in music

Synonyms of crescendo

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Noun

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Examples of crescendo in a Sentence

Noun The noise rose to a crescendo. excitement in the auditorium slowly built up and reached its crescendo when the star walked on stage
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Noun
Equal parts fantastic and frenetic, Northern California’s annual Monterey Car Week comes to a crescendo with Sunday’s storied Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. — Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 17 Aug. 2026 But hope can be spun from the darkest of shadows, and the Night Court has its own part to play in the looming crescendo. — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026 The boosted bass gets a little overbearing when the kick drum is at a constant patter, particularly during the mounting crescendo near the end, which creates something of a muddy swell in the lower register. — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 7 Aug. 2026 Those conversations reached a crescendo as Chu, an old friend of Chen’s, prepared to release Crazy Rich Asians, Hollywood’s first studio film in 25 years with a majority Asian cast. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crescendo

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Italian, noun derivative of crescendo "increasing," gerund of crescere "to increase, grow," going back to Latin crēscere "to come into existence, increase in size or numbers" — more at crescent entry 1

Adverb or adjective

borrowed from Italian — more at crescendo entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb Or Adjective

1807, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crescendo was in 1775

Rhymes for crescendo

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Browse Nearby Words

cresc
crescendo
crescendo pedal
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Cite this Entry

“Crescendo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crescendo. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

crescendo

noun
cre·​scen·​do
kri-ˈshen-dō
plural crescendos or crescendoes
1
: a gradual increase especially in the loudness of music
2
: the peak of a gradual increase
crescendo adverb or adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on crescendo

Nglish: Translation of crescendo for Spanish Speakers

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