Staccato
adverb /stəˈkɑː.toʊ/ — Notes played in a short, detached, disconnected manner.
Definition
A musical articulation in which each note is played briefly and crisply, detached from neighboring notes. The opposite of legato. More broadly, any speech or movement that is abrupt and clipped.
Beyond the definition
Staccato creates a sense of urgency, lightness, or precision. Think of how rain on a window sounds staccato. Think of angry sentences — short, separate, final.
Origin & history
Italian: past participle of 'staccare' (to detach). In music since the 18th century; in general English use from the 19th century.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The violins played a staccato figure beneath the melody — each note a small, controlled exclamation.
She spoke in staccato bursts when she was angry — short sentences, no connecting tissue.
The hailstones hit the roof in staccato percussion, irregular and insistent.
How to use it
This entry uses an adverb. Use its existing form; do not automatically add -ly. Follow the examples for placement.
Choose “Staccato” when the meaning fits your context: A musical articulation in which each note is played briefly and crisply, detached from neighboring notes. The opposite of legato. More broadly, any speech or movement that is abrupt and clipped.
Synonyms
detached, clipped, crisp, percussive
Antonyms
legato, sustained, smooth
Related words
Staccato vs legato
Staccato instructs the musician to play notes in a short, detached manner. Conversely, legato indicates that notes should be played smoothly and connected, without any interruption.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Restorer Working On Tiny Mosaic
An adult restorer uses a magnifying glass to work with careful, precise movements on a tiny fragment of an ancient mosaic.
Staccato is the articulation of notes or movements that are brief, crisp, and detached. The restorer's sharp, careful work on individual mosaic pieces illustrates how separation and brevity provide distinct, percussive focus.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Staccato" mean?
Staccato is adverb meaning: Notes played in a short, detached, disconnected manner.. A musical articulation in which each note is played briefly and crisply, detached from neighboring notes. The opposite of legato. More broadly, any speech or movement that is abrupt and clipped.
Where does the word "Staccato" come from?
Italian: past participle of 'staccare' (to detach). In music since the 18th century; in general English use from the 19th century.