WordGarden.iostaccato
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /stəkˈɑːtəʊ/
US
- /stəˈkɑˌtoʊ/
Meanings
Adjective
abruptly broken into short separate bursts, especially in speech, writing, or movement
performed or marked with notes sharply separated from one another
Noun
a detached style of musical performance or a passage played that way
Beyond the definition
Imagine a tiny hummingbird's wings: quick, separate bursts of motion instead of one smooth flow. That's staccato. It began as a musical term for notes played in a clear, separated way, but now it can describe anything that comes in short, abrupt bursts. A staccato laugh is not a long, rolling chuckle; it's a string of sharp "ha!" sounds. You might also describe someone's speech as staccato if they speak in quick, clipped phrases.
Staccato comes from Italian, meaning "detached" or "separated." It first described a way of playing musical notes—short and distinct, with silence between each one. A staccato melody isn't smooth and flowing; it's punctuated by pauses, creating a choppy, energetic effect. Think of the difference between a legato violin solo (smooth and connected) and a staccato piano riff (sharp and broken).
But staccato has moved beyond music. We use it to describe anything that happens in short, abrupt bursts or segments. A staccato laugh comes out in quick little beats. A politician might deliver a staccato speech, full of short, forceful statements meant to grab attention. Footsteps, gunfire, typing, or even flashes of light can all be described this way when they feel broken into sharp, separate units.
You can also use it for the way a person speaks or moves. Someone with a staccato speaking style may sound direct and concise, giving information in quick, clipped phrases. The word often suggests energy, tension, or precision rather than ease and flow.
So whether you're listening to music, observing the weather, or describing someone's communication style—if it's broken up into short, distinct segments, it's staccato.
Examples
- 1
Music performance
The pianist played the opening notes in a staccato style.
- 2
Nervous speech
He spoke in a staccato voice, as if he were trying not to panic.
- 3
Tense replies
Her staccato replies made the conversation feel tense.
- 4
Mechanical sound
From outside came the staccato beat of helicopter blades.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Writing style
The author uses staccato sentences near the end of the chapter.
- Phrasestaccato sentences
very short, broken-sounding sentences
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- staccato notes
- staccato rhythm
- staccato speech
- staccato bursts
Word family
- staccatissimo
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- staccatoadjectiveadverb