WordGarden.iopresto
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /prˈɛstəʊ/
US
- /ˈprɛsˌtoʊ/
Meanings
Interjection
(informal)used to mark a sudden result or transformation, as if by magic
Adjective
fast in musical tempo
Noun
a passage or movement performed at presto tempo
Beyond the definition
You've probably heard a magician shouting "Presto!" right before pulling a rabbit out of a hat. That's because presto suggests something happening with incredible speed and, often, a touch of magic. It originally comes from the Italian word meaning "swiftly" or "at once."
While magicians use it to announce their tricks, you can also use "presto" to describe anything that happens very quickly—like a solution appearing, presto, after hours of brainstorming, or a delicious meal being prepared in a flash by a skilled chef. It's a little dramatic and adds flair! Think of it as the verbal equivalent of a quick snap of the fingers.
The word "presto" carries a delightful sense of speed, efficiency, and even a hint of magic. Originating from the Italian word meaning "swiftly" or "at once," it's most famously associated with stage magicians who exclaim "Presto!" to emphasize the instantaneous nature of their illusions.
However, presto isn't limited to magical performances. It can also describe something that happens very quickly and almost effortlessly. For example: "The answer came to her, and presto, it was as if by inspiration." Or, "After a few small changes, presto, the project was ready."
In music, presto is a tempo marking indicating a very fast pace—faster than allegro. It tells musicians to play with great speed and energy. It's also often used informally as an exclamation of surprise or delight when something happens unexpectedly quickly. ("Presto! You're here!")
So, whether it's a magician's trick, a sudden realization, a fast musical tempo, or the quick completion of a task, presto captures the essence of swiftness and, often, a touch of wonder.
Examples
- 1
Cooking
Add the sauce, warm it for two minutes, and presto, dinner is ready.
- 2
Coding fix
She changed one line of code and, presto, the app started working again.
- 3
Magic word
The magician tapped the hat and said, "Presto!"
- 4
Music tempo
The final section is marked presto, so the pianist has to play it very fast.
- Domainpresto
a music instruction to play very fast
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- prestoadjectiveadverb