# piano

/piˈænə/ (US) · /pɪˈænəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/piano
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. musical instrument

noun · CEFR A1

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

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

- She started taking piano lessons when she was only five years old.
- The concert grand piano occupied the centre of the stage, its polished mahogany surface reflecting the overhead spotlights.

### 2. soft or quiet

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

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

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

- The next part of the song is piano, so play it very gently.
- The composer marked the passage piano to ensure the delicate woodwind melody would not be overwhelmed by the strings.

### 3. playing softly

adverb · CEFR B2 · Technical

to play a piece of music softly.

For teachers: performed at a low volume; functions as a musical direction.

- The teacher told the student to play the chorus piano this time.
- The sonata begins piano, gradually building in intensity until it reaches a powerful climax in the final movement.

### 4. to tap fingers

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

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

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

- He pianoed his fingers on the desk while he waited for the phone to ring.
- She pianoed her long fingers across the armrest of the chair, betraying a hidden nervousness despite her calm expression.

## Examples

- She practices the piano for an hour every morning.
- The movers carefully carried the heavy piano into the living room and placed it against the wall.
- While the digital version offers convenience and portability, many purists argue that a traditional acoustic piano provides a superior depth of tone and tactile response.

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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.