ENGLISH
REFERENCE

piano

n. · adj. · adv. · v.
US //piˈænə// UK //pɪˈænəʊ// pi·ano
  1. 1 musical instrument (n.)
    A1 Beginner Music

    a large musical instrument with a row of black and white keys that you press with your fingers.

    a percussive keyboard instrument in which pressing a key causes a felt-covered hammer to strike steel strings.

    Example

    She started taking piano lessons when she was only five years old.

    Example

    The concert grand piano occupied the centre of the stage, its polished mahogany surface reflecting the overhead spotlights.
    • pianoforte
  2. 2 soft or quiet (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Music

    used in music to describe a sound that is soft or quiet.

    pertaining to a quiet or soft volume of sound; used as a dynamic marking in musical scores.

    Example

    The next part of the song is piano, so play it very gently.

    Example

    The composer marked the passage piano to ensure the delicate woodwind melody would not be overwhelmed by the strings.
  3. 3 playing softly (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Music

    to play a piece of music softly.

    performed at a low volume; functions as a musical direction.

    Example

    The teacher told the student to play the chorus piano this time.

    Example

    The sonata begins piano, gradually building in intensity until it reaches a powerful climax in the final movement.
  4. 4 to tap fingers (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    to move your fingers up and down on a surface like you are playing the piano.

    to move the fingers in a rhythmic, tapping motion suggestive of a pianist playing the instrument.

    Example

    He pianoed his fingers on the desk while he waited for the phone to ring.

    Example

    She pianoed her long fingers across the armrest of the chair, betraying a hidden nervousness despite her calm expression.
Etymology 1

Clipping of pianoforte, from Italian pianoforte, from piano (“soft”) + forte (“strong”). So named because it could produce a wide range of varied volumes note-by-note, in contrast to older keyboard instruments, notably the harpsichord. Doublet of llano, plain, and plane.

Etymology 2

From Italian piano.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Idioms1 entry

Last updated June 19, 2026