stretto

noun

stret·to ˈstre-(ˌ)tō

variants or less commonly stretta

ˈstre-tə

plural stretti ˈstre-(ˌ)tē

or strettos

: the overlapping of answer with subject in a musical fugue

: the part of a fugue characterized by this overlapping

: a concluding passage performed in a quicker tempo

Examples of stretto in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And hear Reimann explain how stretto pianos can help reduce injuries, help kids learn the instrument faster and level the playing field between men and women in piano competitions. —

NPR, 27 May 2024 Today, most piano companies still refuse to manufacture stretto (narrow) keyboards. —

NPR, 27 May 2024 With his gestures, Widmann underscored Mozart checking off various contrapuntal tricks, inverting his subject and layering its entrances closely in stretto. —

Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stretto.' 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

stretto from Italian, from stretto narrow, close, from Latin strictus, past participle; stretta from Italian, from feminine of stretto — more at strict

First Known Use

circa 1740, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of stretto was circa 1740

See more words from the same year