# accelerando

/ɐksˌɛləɹˈændəʊ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/accelerando
Updated: 2026-06-04

## Definition

a musical instruction that tells a musician to play faster and faster. It is often written as 'accel.' in the sheet music.

For teachers: a musical direction indicating that the tempo should increase gradually. Often abbreviated as 'accel.' in scores and parts.

## Examples

- The violinist played the final phrase with an accelerando.
- The conductor signaled for an accelerando, prompting the entire orchestra to speed up the tempo toward the end of the movement.
- The composer uses a sudden accelerando to create a sense of urgency, contrasting the previous slow, deliberate passages and leading into the final, triumphant climax.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.