noun , adverb
■ noun
/ piˈænəʊ; NAmE -noʊ/ ( pl. -os ) (also old-fashioned , formal pi·ano·forte / piˌænəʊˈfɔːti; NAmE piˌænoʊˈfɔːr-/) a large musical instrument played by pressing the black and white keys on the keyboard. The sound is produced by small hammers hitting the metal strings inside the piano :
to play the piano
playing jazz on the piano
piano music
a piano teacher / lesson
Ravel's piano concerto in G
—see also grand piano , thumb piano , upright piano
■ adverb
/ ˈpjɑːnəʊ; NAmE -noʊ/ ( abbr. p ) ( music ) played or sung quietly
OPP forte
► piano adjective
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WORD ORIGIN
noun early 19th cent.: from Italian , abbreviation of pianoforte .
adverb and adjective Italian , literally soft .