arioso

noun

ari·​o·​so ˌär-ē-ˈō-(ˌ)sō How to pronounce arioso (audio)
-(ˌ)zō
plural ariosos also ariosi ˌär-ē-ˈō-(ˌ)sē How to pronounce arioso (audio)
-(ˌ)zē
: a musical passage or composition having a mixture of free recitative and metrical song

Examples of arioso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But Monteverdi shows uncanny skill at writing extended vocal passages that shift seamlessly between recitative, arioso and aria. Anthony Tommasini, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2017 Fischer inhabited her role completely, and the composer wrote long, lyrical arioso for her. Janelle Gelfand, Cincinnati.com, 19 July 2017

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from aria

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arioso was in 1820

Dictionary Entries Near arioso

Cite this Entry

“Arioso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arioso. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on arioso

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!