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staccato

staccato

3 7.3
Sounds that are short and sharp with clear space between each one
  • adjective
  • /stəˈkɑːtoʊ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : staccato
  • The cries of nocturnal birds sound in a rhythmic, staccato pulse.
  • staccato style

It's almost like just it's the staccato type movement and it, it's too fast, you know, it's too much.

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Examples

  • With two fingers, he types rapidly, a staccato burst of sound that ceases almost immediately.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The spectacle drew from him a sharp, staccato bark of amazement, and she turned, her eyes wide.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • "Oh, yes, everything is fine, just fine," the man said in staccato English.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • It tends to encourage fast staccato playing.

  • The paragraph ends with four short, staccato sentences, like the chug-chug of the train that is about to arrive.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Once students have grasped the sound and feel of playing or singing in a staccato style, draw the four-note staccato pattern on the board.

    Academic text (2007)
  • I could hear the storm growing: the staccato rain against the windows, the swooshing of trees, the anger, and the sorrow.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Antonia laughs, a staccato burst of sound that ends in a sigh of relief.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Repeated observations of children in first grade often reveal a transition from labored, staccato text reading to reading more smoothly and with intonation.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The musician played the piece with a sharp, staccato rhythm that captivated the audience.

Synonyms

nonlegato
vsstaccato
  • Specialized
8.4

Played with small gaps between notes so they are not smoothly connected

is shorter and sharper, making each sound clearly separated

Antonyms

legato
  • Specialized
7.4

To play or sing smoothly so the notes join without breaks

Compounds

staccato beat
  • Specialized
1 6.1

Short, sharp musical sounds that have clear gaps between notes

staccato rhythm
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A pattern of short, sharp sounds or movements played quickly

How Detached

separated
1.0
staccato
  • Specialized
3 7.3
clipped
6.5
choppy
12 3.9
smooth
204 1.0

Surface Forms

staccato positive
staccater comparative
staccatest superlative

Etymology

Staccato comes from the Italian word staccare, which means 'to detach' or 'separate'. So, when music or speech is staccato, each sound is short, sharp, and clearly separated from the others.