legato
adverb or adjective
le·ga·to
| \ li-ˈgä-(ˌ)tō
\
\
Definition of legato
(Entry 1 of 2)
: in a manner that is smooth and connected (as between successive tones)
—used especially as a direction in music
legato
nounDefinition of legato (Entry 2 of 2)
: a smooth and connected manner of performance (as of music)
also
: a passage of music so performed
Examples of legato in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Elsewhere, Kang Wollett spun out long, legato solos in the Largo by Ives, making the dark romanticism sing. — Tim Diovanni, Dallas News, "Clarinet trio shines in opening concert at Dallas’ Basically Beethoven Festival," 12 July 2019 The Tanglewood reception wasn’t extravagant, even though his encore, the Chopin Nocturne in C-sharp minor, showed Lang Lang’s filigree legato at its very best. — David Patrick Stearns, Philly.com, "Lang Lang's recovery: Will he ever play in Philly again?," 12 July 2018 Jones played the demanding solo part with apparent ease, beauty of tone and, in the Andante, a lovely feel for legato playing, turning a fairly standard-issue slow movement into a noble aria. — Zachary Lewis, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Orchestra's 'Prometheus Project' gets off to fiery start: review," 11 May 2018 Scott Hostetler traced a melting legato line in the famous English horn solo of the largo, although Muti’s easing the pace later in the slow movement threatened to stifle forward impetus. — John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Review: John Malkovich's wan narration disappoints in CSO reading of 'Lincoln Portrait'," 13 Apr. 2018 Gerstein’s descending figures might have managed the smoothest legato in the business, and Hagen faced the great stretch of tumult in the first movement with absolute clarity and composure. — Peter Dobrin, Philly.com, "Clemens Hagen and Kirill Gerstein take on Beethoven at Kimmel," 22 Mar. 2018 Her Azucena is a creation of soaring high notes, fluttering trills, seductive legato, chilling low tones. — Zachary Woolfe, New York Times, "Review: A Surprise Star Steals the Met’s ‘Il Trovatore’," 23 Jan. 2018 From my seat the balance favored Ma's fulsome tone by a slight margin; Ax's legato playing sounded a bit watery even with the lid on his Steinway fully opened. — Richard S. Ginell, latimes.com, "Yo-Yo Ma, Leonidas Kavakos and Emanuel Ax: Brahms all-stars at Disney Hall," 5 Mar. 2018 But there is also comfort: the warmth of the hearth fire, tranquil and legato on the bow; lazy days punctuated only by the pizzicato of ice droplets on the roof. — Jessica Chiccehitto Hindman, New York Times, "Letter of Recommendation: Vivaldi’s ‘Winter’," 21 Feb. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'legato.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for legato
legato
adverb
English Language Learners Definition of legato
music
: in a manner that is smooth and flowing
See the full definition for legato in the English Language Learners Dictionary