STACCATO

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does staccato mean? 

• STACCATO (adjective)
  The adjective STACCATO has 1 sense:

1. (music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply

  Familiarity information: STACCATO used as an adjective is very rare.

• STACCATO (adverb)
  The adverb STACCATO has 1 sense:

1. separating the notes; in music

  Familiarity information: STACCATO used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STACCATO (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(music) marked by or composed of disconnected parts or sounds; cut short crisply

Synonyms:

disconnected; staccato

Context example:

staccato notes

Similar:

abrupt; disconnected (marked by sudden changes in subject and sharp transitions)

Domain category:

music (an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner)

Antonym:

legato ((music) without breaks between notes; smooth and connected)

• STACCATO (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Separating the notes; in music

Context example:

play this staccato, please

Antonym:

legato (connecting the notes; in music)

 Context examples 

He spoke in a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had ill-usage at the hands of fortune.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sometimes they beat quickly, sometimes slowly, sometimes in obvious question and answer, one far to the east breaking out in a high staccato rattle, and being followed after a pause by a deep roll from the north.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)