mezza voce

adverb or adjective

mez·​za vo·​ce ˌmet-sä-ˈvō-(ˌ)chā How to pronounce mezza voce (audio)
ˌmed-zä-
: with medium or half volume
used as a direction in music

Examples of mezza voce in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There is no denying the fundamental splendor of Kaufmann’s sound: the baritonal strength of his lower register, the clean strike of his high notes, the tender shimmer of his mezza voce. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mezza voce.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian, half voice

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mezza voce was in 1776

Dictionary Entries Near mezza voce

Cite this Entry

“Mezza voce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mezza%20voce. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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