legato
legato Lexical Profile
legato Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
In music, performed with each note smoothly and continuously connected to the next without any intervening silence.
"The cellist practiced the legato phrasing until the melody flowed seamlessly."
• adverb
In music, in a smooth, flowing manner, without breaks between successive notes.
"The conductor instructed the string section to play the opening theme legato."
• noun
A musical passage, movement, or performance style in which successive notes are played smoothly and connectedly.
"Her expressive legato during the slow movement captivated the entire concert hall."
• Rhymes for legato
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 18th century from Italian legato, the past participle of legare ('to bind'), ultimately from Latin ligare ('to tie or bind together').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.