ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tempo

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈtɛmˌpoʊ// UK //tˈɛmpəʊ// tem·po

n. the speed at which a piece of music is played. You can also use it to talk about the speed of an activity or event.

n. the speed or pace of a given piece of music. In a broader sense, it refers to the rate of motion or activity in any process.


SIMPLE

The drummer sets the tempo for the rest of the band.

CONTEXTUAL

The conductor signaled for a faster tempo to bring more energy to the final movement of the symphony.

COMPLEX

While the first act of the play moves slowly to establish the characters, the second act increases the tempo significantly as the central conflict reaches its peak.

Synonyms
Usage

Often used with adjectives like 'fast', 'slow', 'brisk', or 'steady'. When used in a musical context, it is frequently followed by an Italian marking such as 'Allegro' or 'Andante'.

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