staccato adjective/adverb - definition in British English Dictionary & Thesaurus

/stəˈkɑː.təʊ/

/-oʊ/ adj adv

Definition

•

describes musical notes that are short and separate when played, or this way of playing music

The music suddenly changed from a smooth melody to a staccato rhythm.

She played the whole piece staccato to improve her technique.

•

describes a noise or way of speaking that consists of a series of short and separate sounds

She gave staccato replies to every question.

(Definition of staccato adjective/adverb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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