'piano' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'pianoforte', where 'piano' meant 'soft' and 'forte' meant 'loud'.

'pianoforte' transformed into the English word 'piano' and eventually became the modern English word 'piano'.

Initially, it meant 'soft and loud', referring to the instrument's ability to play at different volumes, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.