decrescendo

/ˈdikrəˌʃɛndoʊ/

Other forms: decrescendos; decrescendoing; decrescendoed; descrescendoing

Decrescendo is a musical dynamic or instruction telling performers to gradually lessen the loudness of their singing or playing.

As you might guess, decrescendo is the opposite of crescendo, which means to gradually get louder when playing or singing a section of music. The first part of decrescendo looks a bit like the related word decrease, "to lessen or diminish." Decrescendo can also be used in a general, non-musical context, as in "The teacher stepped in and walked to the front of the room, causing a decrescendo in the hubbub of student voices."

Definitions of decrescendo

1. noun

   (music) a gradual decrease in loudness
   synonyms: diminuendo

   type of:

   softness

   a sound property that is free from loudness or stridency
2. adjective

   (music) gradually decreasing in volume
   synonyms: diminuendo

   decreasing

   music
3. verb

   grow quieter
   antonyms:

   crescendo

   grow louder

   type of:

   decrease, diminish, fall, lessen

   decrease in size, extent, or range
4. adverb

   (music) with a gradual decrease in loudness; an instruction in music