# dolce

/ˈdoʊɫˌtʃeɪ/ (US) · /dˈɒltʃeɪ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dolce
Updated: 2026-05-09

## Definition

to play or sing music in a sweet and gentle way. You see this word in music scores when the composer wants the sound to be soft and smooth.

For teachers: to be performed in a sweet, soft, and gentle manner. Typically used as a musical direction to indicate a smooth, lyrical style of execution.

## Examples

- The pianist played the melody dolce.
- The conductor asked the woodwinds to play the second movement dolce to contrast with the loud opening.
- The score indicates that the violin solo should be performed dolce, requiring a light touch and a subtle vibrato to maintain the delicate character of the piece.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed above or below the musical staff as a performance instruction; in prose, it usually follows the verb it modifies.

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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.