crescendo

1 of 2

noun

cre·​scen·​do krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō 

plural crescendos also crescendoes or crescendi krə-ˈshen-dē 

1

a

: a gradual increase

a crescendo of excitement

specifically : a gradual increase in volume of a musical passage

b

: the peak of a gradual increase : climax

… complaints about stifling smog conditions reach a crescendo …

—DownBeat

2

: a crescendo musical passage

crescendo intransitive verb

Illustration of crescendo

• mark indicating crescendo 2

crescendo

2 of 2

adverb or adjective

: with an increase in volume

—used as a direction in music

Synonyms of crescendo

Noun

• pinnacle
• zenith
• culmination
• peak
• top
• height
• climax
• apex

Examples of crescendo in a Sentence

Noun

The noise rose to a crescendo.

excitement in the auditorium slowly built up and reached its crescendo when the star walked on stage

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The events that unfolded in Tiananmen Square during those intervening months—which reached a violent crescendo on the night of June 3, 1989—form the work’s painful subtext. —Pauline J. Yao, Artforum, 2 May 2026

So while the actual climax this weekend was stunning, the crescendo began long before Opening Day or even spring training. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 30 Apr. 2026

Another European final would bring generations of supporters together and perhaps prove the crescendo to Villa’s rise from Championship play-off winners seven years ago to major players in the Premier League and Europe. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2026

That career-redefining campaign reached a crescendo in South Florida with a 27-21 win over UM in the College Football Playoff National Championship. —Noah White, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Italian, noun derivative of crescendo "increasing," gerund of crescere "to increase, grow," going back to Latin crēscere "to come into existence, increase in size or numbers" — more at crescent entry 1

Adverb or adjective

borrowed from Italian — more at crescendo entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1775, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb Or Adjective

1807, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crescendo

• arguendo
• innuendo
• endo
• tendo

Kids Definition

crescendo

noun

cre·​scen·​do

kri-ˈshen-dō

plural crescendos or crescendoes

1

: a gradual increase especially in the loudness of music

2

: the peak of a gradual increase

crescendo adverb or adjective