mezzo forte

adjective or adverb

mez·​zo for·​te ˌmet-(ˌ)sō-ˈfȯr-ˌtā 

ˌmed-(ˌ)zō-,

-ˈfȯr-tē

: moderately loud

—used as a direction in music

Word History

Etymology

Italian

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mezzo forte

adjective or adverb

mez·​zo for·​te ˌmet-sō-ˈfȯr-ˌtā 

ˌmed-zō-,

-ˈfȯrt-ē

: played or sung with medium loudness

—used as a direction in music

Etymology

Italian, from mezzo "half, medium" and forte "strong"