sonata
|so-na-ta|
/səˈnɑːtə/
instrumental musical composition in movements
Etymology
'sonata' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'sonata', the past participle of 'sonare', where 'sonare' meant 'to sound'.
'sonata' changed from Italian 'sonata' (past participle of 'sonare'), derived from Latin 'sonare' and ultimately from Latin 'sonus' meaning 'sound', and entered English usage via musical terminology in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Initially it meant 'sounded' or 'played' (reflecting the past participle form), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a specific form of instrumental musical composition, typically in multiple movements.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a typically multi-movement musical composition for one or more solo instruments, often with piano accompaniment (e.g., piano sonata, violin sonata).
She is studying Beethoven's piano sonatas.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a single movement that is in the style or form of a sonata (sometimes used for shorter or simplified sonata-like works).
The concerto's slow movement resembles a brief sonata.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/19 09:22