fortepiano

1 of 2

noun

for·​te·​pia·​no ˌfȯr-ˌtā-pē-ˈa-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce fortepiano (audio)
also
-ˈä-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce fortepiano (audio)
: an early form of the piano originating in the 18th and early 19th centuries and having a smaller range and softer timbre than a modern piano

forte-piano

2 of 2

adverb or adjective

for·​te-pi·​a·​no ˌfȯr-ˌtā-pē-ˈä-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce forte-piano (audio)
ˌfȯr-tē-
: loud then immediately soft
used as a direction in music

Examples of fortepiano 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.
Noun
But away from the fortepiano, Beethoven’s life was plagued by deafness, debilitating gastrointestinal troubles, and jaundice. Ari Daniel, NPR, 27 June 2024 Mozart and Haydn both owned a Walter fortepiano, and Beethoven wished for one. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2023 Berry brought a six-octave instrument modeled on the Viennese fortepianos that Anton Walter made. Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2023 Maltz specializes in Viennese fortepiano (also known as pianoforte), combining his musicianship with historical techniques. San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2023 See all Example Sentences for fortepiano 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French or Italian; French, from Italian, from forte loud + piano soft

First Known Use

Noun

1771, in the meaning defined above

Adverb Or Adjective

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fortepiano was in 1771

Dictionary Entries Near fortepiano

forte-piano

fortepiano

Fort Erie

Cite this Entry

“Fortepiano.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortepiano. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on fortepiano

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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