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forte

/ˈfɔrteɪ/
/ˈfɔteɪ/
IPA guide

Other forms: fortes

Forte means an area in which you are strong or good. Having two left feet and no sense of rhythm, dancing would not be considered your forte. Better to impress people with card tricks, if that's your area of expertise, or your forte.

Your forte is what you would focus on if you decided to enter a talent show. The word forte actually comes from the similar-sounding Latin word fortis, which means "strong." Romans (and countless groups since) called the big, barricaded structures they built "forts" because they were supposed to stay strong and keep out the hordes of invading barbarians. In music, playing forte means playing loud.

Definitions of forte
  1. noun
    an asset of special worth or utility
    “cooking is his forte
    see moresee less
    types:
    green fingers, green thumb
    a special ability to make plants grow
    type of:
    asset, plus
    a useful or valuable quality
  2. adverb
    (music) to be played relatively loudly; used as a direction in music
    synonyms: loudly
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    piano
    used as a direction in music; to be played relatively softly
  3. adjective
    (music) very loud; used chiefly as a direction or description in music
    “the forte passages in the composition”
    synonyms: loud
    fortemente
    chiefly a direction or description in music; loud and strong
    fortissimo
    chiefly a direction or description in music
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    piano
    used chiefly as a direction or description in music
    pianissimo
    chiefly a direction or description in music; very soft
    pianissimo assai
    chiefly a direction or description in music; very soft
  4. noun
    (music) a passage that is to be played very loudly
    synonyms: fortissimo
    see moresee less
    type of:
    intensity, loudness, volume
    the magnitude of sound (usually in a specified direction)
  5. noun
    the stronger part of a sword blade between the hilt and the foible
    see moresee less
    type of:
    part, portion
    something less than the whole of a human artifact
Pronunciation
US
/ˈfɔrteɪ/
UK
/ˈfɔteɪ/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘forte'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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