How to Pronounce Crescendo

To pronounce "crescendo", say CRESC-end-o — 3 syllables, IPA /kɹəˈʃɛn.dəʊ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

crescendo

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Accent

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3

Syllables

9

Letters

/kɹəˈʃɛn.dəʊ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “crescendo”

"crescendo" has 3 syllables: cresc-end-o. It rhymes with innuendo and endo, if that helps it stick.

What does crescendo mean?

noun

  1. An instruction to play gradually more loudly, denoted by a long, narrow angle with its apex on the left ( < ), by musicians called a hairpin.
  2. A gradual increase of anything, especially to a dramatic climax.

    “Their fighting rose in a fearsome crescendo.”

verb

  1. To increase in intensity; to reach or head for a crescendo.

    “The band crescendoed and then suddenly went silent.”

adverb

  1. Gradually increasing in force or loudness.

Antonyms

decrescendodiminuendoclimaxconclusion

Words that rhyme with crescendo

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

innuendoendoendo-caliendonintendooquendosendovendo

Related words

increasingdecrescendobuild-upescalationrisespiralcresccadence

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "crescendo"?▾

"Crescendo" has 3 syllables: cresc · end · o.

What is the IPA transcription of "crescendo"?▾

The IPA transcription of "crescendo" is /kɹəˈʃɛn.dəʊ/.

What does "crescendo" mean?▾

Crescendo: An instruction to play gradually more loudly, denoted by a long, narrow angle with its apex on the left ( < ), by musicians called a hairpin.

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