crescendo

1 of 2

noun

cre·​scen·​do krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō 

plural crescendos also crescendoes or crescendi krə-ˈshen-dē 

1

a

: a gradual increase

a crescendo of excitement

specifically : a gradual increase in volume of a musical passage

b

: the peak of a gradual increase : climax

… complaints about stifling smog conditions reach a crescendo …

—Down Beat

2

: a crescendo musical passage

crescendo intransitive verb

Illustration of crescendo

• mark indicating crescendo 2

crescendo

2 of 2

adverb or adjective

: with an increase in volume

—used as a direction in music

Synonyms

Noun

• acme
• apex
• apogee
• capstone
• climax
• crest
• crown
• culmination
• head
• height
• high noon
• high-water mark
• meridian
• ne plus ultra
• noon
• noontime
• peak
• pinnacle
• sum
• summit
• tip-top
• top
• zenith

Examples of crescendo in a Sentence

Noun

The noise rose to a crescendo.

excitement in the auditorium slowly built up and reached its crescendo when the star walked on stage

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For now, hockey’s moment with the success of the 4 Nations Face-Off and its Thursday night crescendo is worth celebrating, and exploring, more than the current NBA malaise is worth lamenting or dwelling upon. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025

There was more negative body language after Sinner served out that set at love to continue his crescendo, the final note an ace at 120 mph (194 kph). —Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025

In the midst of the Wang episode, a list of more than 170 other Chinese trafficking victims went viral on China’s Weibo microblog amid a crescendo of appeals from families for help. —Charlie Campbell, TIME, 21 Jan. 2025

The Chiefs roared when Mahomes and Kelce arrived, but the person who generated the loudest crescendo of cheers was coach Andy Reid, who walked into the middle of the room in full costume as Santa Claus. —Nate Taylor, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Italian, noun derivative of crescendo "increasing," gerund of crescere "to increase, grow," going back to Latin crēscere "to come into existence, increase in size or numbers" — more at crescent entry 1

Adverb or adjective

borrowed from Italian — more at crescendo entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb Or Adjective

1807, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crescendo

• arguendo
• innuendo
• endo
• tendo

Kids Definition

crescendo

noun

cre·​scen·​do

kri-ˈshen-dō

plural crescendos or crescendoes

1

: a gradual increase especially in the loudness of music

2

: the peak of a gradual increase

crescendo adverb or adjective