Glissando
noun, verb
noun, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Either a continuous sliding from one pitch to another ("true" glissando), or an incidental scale played while moving from one melodic note to another ("effective" glissando). countable, uncountable
"After another alternation of the two elements, there is a more playful episode, in which flute and bassoon take up the first element, with swooping glissando on the ondes Martenot."
- 2 a rapid series of ascending or descending notes on the musical scale wordnet
- 3 A method of playing an electric guitar in which a metal bar is held at right angles across the strings and rapidly moved up and down, creating a smooth, lush sound. countable, uncountable
Verb
- 1 To play with a glissando or sliding effect.
Adverb
- 1 (musical direction) in the manner of a glissando (with a rapidly executed series of notes) wordnet
Example
More examples"After another alternation of the two elements, there is a more playful episode, in which flute and bassoon take up the first element, with swooping glissando on the ondes Martenot."
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian glissando.
Related phrases
More for "glissando"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.