pianissimo

/ˌˈpiəˌnɪsəˈmoʊ/

Other forms: pianissimos

When a musician performs something pianissimo, she plays very softly. If you're playing a pianissimo piece on the piano, your fingers will be gentle on the keys.

You can use this word as an adverb or an adjective — in either case, it's a specific musical direction regarding the dynamics (or loudness) of a piece of music. On sheet music, pianissimo is often marked pp, to distinguish it from piano, which is simply "soft," rather than "very soft," and is usually marked with one p. There is, in fact, an even quieter designation called pianississimo, that's "very very soft."

Definitions of pianissimo

1. adverb

   a direction in music; to be played very softly
   synonyms: very softly

   antonyms:

   fortissimo

   a direction in music; to be played very loudly
2. adjective

   chiefly a direction or description in music; very soft
   synonyms:

   piano, soft

   used chiefly as a direction or description in music
3. noun

   (music) low loudness
   synonyms: piano

   type of:

   softness

   a sound property that is free from loudness or stridency