staccato

adjective stac·ca·to \stə-ˈkä-(ˌ)tō\

music : short and not sounding connected

: sudden and brief

Full Definition of STACCATO

a : cut short or apart in performing : disconnected <staccato notes>

b : marked by short clear-cut playing or singing of tones or chords <a staccato style>

: abrupt, disjointed <staccato screams>

— staccato adverb

— staccato noun

See staccato defined for English-language learners

See staccato defined for kids

Origin of STACCATO

Italian, from past participle of staccare to detach, from s- ex- (from Latin ex-) + attaccare to attack, attach, perhaps from Old French estachier — more at attach

First Known Use: circa 1724

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue

Rhymes with STACCATO

legato, spiccato

STACCATO Defined for Kids

staccato

adjective stac·ca·to \stə-ˈkä-tō\

Definition of STACCATO for Kids

: cut short so as not to sound connected <staccato notes> <… he … stayed with her, the quiet interrupted only by her occasional staccato breaths. — Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising>

: played or sung with breaks between notes