English Explanatory Dictionary

piano

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A percussive keyboard musical instrument, usually ranging over seven octaves, with white and black colored keys, played by pressing these keys, causing hammers to strike strings.
verb
  1. To play the piano.
  2. To move (the fingers) up and down on, similar to the motions of a pianist playing the piano.
  3. To equip with a piano.
adv
  1. Softly, as a dynamic in a piece of music.
adj
  1. Soft, quiet.
  2. Gentle, soft, subdued.
verb
  1. To become softer and less intense.
name
  1. A surname from Italian.

Pronunciation

/ˈpjænəʊ/ /piˈænəʊ/ /piˈænoʊ/ /piˈænɪː/ /piˈænə/ /paɪˈænoʊ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-piano.wav /piˈɑːnəʊ/ /ˈpjɑːnəʊ/ /piˈɑnoʊ/

Word forms

piano pianos pianoes pianoing pianoed more piano most piano

Etymology

Clipping of pianoforte, from Italian pianoforte, from piano (“soft”) + forte (“strong”). So named because it could produce a wide range of varied volumes note-by-note, in contrast to older keyboard instruments, notably the harpsichord. Doublet of llano, plain, and plane.

Synonyms

pianoforte

Related words

mezzo piano mp pianissimo pp

Derived words

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