smorzando
|smor-zan-do|
🇺🇸
/smɔrˈzɑndoʊ/
🇬🇧
/smɔːrˈzɑːndəʊ/
dying away; fading into silence
Etymology
'smorzando' originates from Italian, specifically the present participle of the verb 'smorzare', where 'smorzare' meant 'to extinguish, to deaden' (in the sense of lessening sound).
'smorzando' developed in Italian musical usage from the verb 'smorzare' and was adopted into English musical terminology (printed scores and directions) from Italian practice in the 18th–19th centuries.
Initially it conveyed the general sense of 'extinguishing' or 'making dead' (sound); over time it specialized in musical contexts to mean 'dying away; becoming softer/fading into silence'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
describing a passage or sound that has the quality of smorzando (i.e., fading or subdued).
The orchestra produced a smorzando effect at the end of the movement.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adverb 1
a musical direction meaning 'dying away' — gradually softer and often slower, fading into silence.
The final phrase is marked smorzando and should fade into silence.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/14 08:25