crescendo.

1. A gradual increase in the loudness of music or another sound.

2. A progressive increase in activity, emotion, or force.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• steady crescendo
• crescendo of voices

On the page

A steady crescendo drew the musicians toward the final chord.

The crescendo of voices reached her before she saw the crowd.

Usage notes

Primary category: sensory / description. Forms: Singular crescendo; plural crescendos or crescendi. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings.