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DictionaryallegroFast, lively music
adverb / noun / adjective

allegro

uh-LEG-roh/əˈleɡrəʊ/

Music played at a fast, lively tempo.

The violinist plays allegro, keeping pace with the brisk metronome.

A violinist plays with brisk, buoyant energy beside a clearly visible digital metronome displaying a quarter-note symbol and 144, making the fast musical tempo explicit.
Etymology
allegroLatinlively, cheerful, brisk

The Latin ancestor describes cheerfulness and brisk energy. The musical direction applies that lively character to performance, calling for a fast, spirited tempo.

More examples

  • The score directs the pianist to play allegro.
  • A slow introduction leads into an allegro movement.
  • The two allegros require careful control despite their speed.

Forms

allegro · allegros

Similar words

brisk
An everyday description rather than a musical tempo direction.
presto
Usually directs a faster tempo than allegro.