arpeggio

noun

ar·​peg·​gio är-ˈpe-jē-ˌō 

-ˈpe-jō

plural arpeggios

1

: production of the tones of a chord in succession and not simultaneously

2

: a chord played in arpeggio

Examples of arpeggio in a Sentence

The guitarist warmed up with a few simple arpeggios.

Recent Examples on the Web

Unleashing jet streams of arpeggios, phrases, harmonics and licks, the New York native often looked as if he slow-danced with an invisible partner. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2024

But contemporary techno, in its narrow focus on pummeling kicks and buzzsaw arpeggios, miles from the quirks and sensuality of ’80s Detroit, or the relentless focus of ’90s Berlin, looks almost like a simulacrum at best, or a parody at worst. —Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2024

In its message, a seven-note arpeggio, are invitations from various figures: a legendary saxophonist, a genius electronic producer, a greater being perhaps. —Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024

Based on a fan-shot video, there may have been a couple of fans in the crowd who picked up on what was happening during the song’s opening guitar arpeggios, but everyone seemed to erupt once Sting began singing the first verse (before quickly hushing up to take in the moment). —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian, noun derivative of arpeggiare "to play the harp," from arpa "harp" (going back to a Vulgar Latin loan from Germanic *harpō- "harp") + -eggiare, factitive verb suffix, going back to Latin -idiāre, originally representing variant pronunciation (or spelling variant) of -izāre -ize — more at harp entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

arpeggio

noun

ar·​peg·​gio är-ˈpej-ō 

-ˈpej-ē-ˌō

plural arpeggios

1

: the playing of the tones of a chord in succession and not at the same time

2

: a chord played in arpeggio