# arco

/ˈɑɹkoʊ/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/arco
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

a direction for musicians to use the bow on a string instrument. You see this in music after a section that was played by plucking the strings with fingers.

For teachers: indicates that a passage of music is to be played with the bow. Used as a performance instruction to cancel a previous 'pizzicato' directive.

## Examples

- The violinists switched to arco for the main melody.
- After four bars of plucking the strings, the conductor signaled the cellos to play arco for a smoother sound.
- The composer utilizes a sudden shift from pizzicato to arco to create a dramatic textural contrast between the rhythmic introduction and the lyrical theme.

## Usage notes

- Used as a musical direction; typically placed above the staff in a score.

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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.