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crescendo

Intermediate (B1)

IPA: /krəˈʃɛndoʊ/

KK: /krəˈʃɛndoʊ/

adjective
Definition

A term used to describe a gradual increase in loudness or intensity, often in music.


Example

The music reached a crescendo, filling the room with powerful sound.


Conversation
Sloth A
Did you hear that new song? It builds up to a really intense crescendo.
Sloth B
Yeah, I love how it starts soft and then gets so powerful!
Sloth A
Exactly! The crescendo makes it super emotional.
Sloth B
Totally, it really grabs your attention at the end.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
growing
increasing
amplifying
Antonyms
decreasing
diminishing
quieting
adverb
Definition

A gradual increase in loudness or intensity, especially in music.


Example

The music built up to a powerful crescendo that filled the concert hall.


Conversation
Sloth A
Did you hear that song that builds up to a crescendo?
Sloth B
Yeah, I love how it creates so much excitement!
Sloth A
It's amazing how the music can change so dramatically like that.
Sloth B
intransitive verb
Definition

To gradually increase in intensity, force, or volume until it reaches a peak.


Example

The music crescendoed beautifully, filling the room with powerful sound.


Tense Forms

Past: crescendoed

Past Participle: crescendoed


Conversation
Sloth A
Did you notice how the music crescendoed during the final scene?
Sloth B
Yeah, it really added to the drama of the moment!
Sloth A
Exactly! I felt my heart racing as it built up.
Sloth B
noun
Definition

A gradual increase in intensity, volume, or force, often used in music to describe a passage that becomes louder or more powerful.


Example

The music reached a crescendo, filling the concert hall with a powerful sound.


Conversation
Sloth A
Did you hear that new song by the band?
Sloth B
Yeah, I loved how it built up to that crescendo.
Sloth A
Right? It was so powerful when the music reached its peak.
Sloth B
Root Explanation

Crescendo → It is derived from the Italian word 'crescere' (meaning to grow) combined with the suffix '-endo' (indicating a process or action). The term 'crescendo' refers to a gradual increase in loudness or intensity, particularly in music, symbolizing a growing or swelling effect.

Memory Tip

Imagine a sound that is 'growing' ('crescere') in intensity — that's what crescendo means, a gradual increase.

Visually Confused Words
decrescendo
reascend
resend
Is this page helpful?
Totally! The crescendo really makes it memorable.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
gradually
increasingly
progressively
Antonyms
decreasingly
diminishingly
less
Same here! It was such a powerful experience.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
escalate
intensify
amplify
Antonyms
diminish
decrease
subside
Exactly! That moment really made the whole song memorable.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
increase
growth
rise
Antonyms
decrease
decline
diminution