fortissimo
1 of 2adverb or adjective
for·tis·si·mo fȯr-ˈti-sə-ˌmō 
: very loud —used especially as a direction in music
fortissimo
2 of 2noun
plural fortissimos or fortissimi fȯr-ˈti-sə-ˌmē
: a very loud passage, sound, or tone
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2021 In hard-rock fashion, some of his scores were so loud that fortissimo was said to be marked with six F’s, instead of the usual two. BostonGlobe.com, 28 Sep. 2019 In hard-rock fashion, some of his scores were so loud that fortissimo was said to be marked with six Fs, instead of the usual two. Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2019 Vanska seemed determined to emphasize the extremes with large leaps from fortissimo to pianissimo and back, moments of dancing in sunlight quickly enshrouded in thunderous clouds. Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 13 June 2019 But nowhere is the effort playing at fortissimo like in Royal Oak. Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, 30 May 2018 Deneve managed balances perfectly, keeping the 100 or so players reined in where necessary but also allowing them the satisfaction of letting the fortissimo passages have their full strength. Special To The Plain Dealer, cleveland.com, 23 Mar. 2018 This ensemble builds gradually to a fortissimo climax, yet Norma is expected to send her voice — with its most shining brilliance and power — soaring above the din. James Jorden, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2017 The piece was appealing, with unexpected clamoring from brass and gong, the fortissimo climax spiraling, like sparks, into nothingness. Libby Hanssen, kansascity.com, 17 June 2017 See More
Noun
What there were, however, were people clapping between movements of the symphony, and at one point in the first movement at a sudden fortissimo. Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2021 In hard-rock fashion, some of his scores were so loud that fortissimo was said to be marked with six F’s, instead of the usual two. BostonGlobe.com, 28 Sep. 2019 In hard-rock fashion, some of his scores were so loud that fortissimo was said to be marked with six Fs, instead of the usual two. Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2019 Vanska seemed determined to emphasize the extremes with large leaps from fortissimo to pianissimo and back, moments of dancing in sunlight quickly enshrouded in thunderous clouds. Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 13 June 2019 But nowhere is the effort playing at fortissimo like in Royal Oak. Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, 30 May 2018 Deneve managed balances perfectly, keeping the 100 or so players reined in where necessary but also allowing them the satisfaction of letting the fortissimo passages have their full strength. Special To The Plain Dealer, cleveland.com, 23 Mar. 2018 This ensemble builds gradually to a fortissimo climax, yet Norma is expected to send her voice — with its most shining brilliance and power — soaring above the din. James Jorden, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2017 The piece was appealing, with unexpected clamoring from brass and gong, the fortissimo climax spiraling, like sparks, into nothingness. Libby Hanssen, kansascity.com, 17 June 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Adverb or adjective
Italian, superlative of forte
First Known Use
Adverb Or Adjective
1724, in the meaning defined above
Noun
1856, in the meaning defined above
- blue-white
- blue-winged goose
- blue-winged teal
- blue-winged warbler
- blue-yellow blindness
- blueback
- blueback herring
- blueback mullet
- blueback salmon
- blueback trout
- bluebacks
- blueballs
- bluebead
- bluebead lily
- bluebeard
- bluebeards
- bluebeats
- bluebell
- bluebells
- bluebells-of-Scotland
- blueberries
- blueberry
- blueberry ash
- blueberry maggot
- blueberry root