How to pronounce decrescendo
Say it like dee-krih-SHEN-doh. Decrescendo has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SHEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce decrescendo. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dee
- krih
- SHEN
- doh
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Decrescendo pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- deeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- krihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SHENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- dohKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of decrescendo
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: dee-krih-SHEN-doh.
What does decrescendo mean?
- An instruction to play gradually more softly.
- A gradual decrease in volume or loudness of a piece of music.
- To gradually become quieter
- becoming quieter gradually.
Where does decrescendo come from?
Borrowed from Italian decrescendo.
Words that rhyme with decrescendo
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of decrescendo.
Questions about saying decrescendo
How do you pronounce decrescendo?
Say dee-krih-SHEN-doh. The American pronunciation is /ˌdikrɪˈʃɛndoʊ/. In British English it is /ˌdiːkrɪˈʃɛndəʊ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in decrescendo?
Decrescendo has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (SHEN). Broken into parts: dee · krih · SHEN · doh.
Is decrescendo pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˌdiːkrɪˈʃɛndəʊ/ (dee-krih-SHEN-doh).