ari·o·so I. \|ärē|ō(ˌ)sō, |ar-, -(ˌ)zō\adjective Etymology: Italian : resembling an aria: as a.of a vocal passage: involving a mixture of free recitative and metrical song b.of an instrumental passage: resembling an accompanied recitative or aria II. adverb : in arioso style — used as a direction in music III. noun (pluralariososalsoario·si \-(ˌ)sē\) : an arioso composition or passage