noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   A short grace note (theoretically taking no time at all), occurring on the beat occupied by the main note to which it is prefixed, one scale-step higher or lower than that main note. (Sometimes equivalent, therefore, to a short appoggiatura, but in Baroque music interpreted differently and more strictly.) Written as a note lighter in appearance, typically a quaver (eighth note), with an oblique stroke through the stem.
2. 2
   an embellishing note usually written in smaller size wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

appoggiaturaarabesquecadencecadenzacoloraturaembellishment

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian acciaccatura, from the verb acciaccare (“to crush”).

Related phrases

grace note

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.