How Do You Spell PRESTO?

Pronunciation: [pɹˈɛstə͡ʊ] (IPA)

The word "presto" is spelled with five letters, and its phonetic transcription is /ˈprestoʊ/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "e" sound, and the "o" at the end produces a long "o" sound. The "s" in the middle of the word is silent and serves only to separate the two syllables. "Presto" is commonly used as an exclamation to indicate that something has been done quickly or easily, and is also a musical term indicating a tempo that is very fast.

PRESTO Meaning and Definition

  1. Presto is an adverb of Italian origin, often used in music notation and commonly used to describe the tempo or speed at which a musical piece or passage should be performed. Derived from the Italian word meaning "quick" or "rapid," presto indicates a lively and energetic tempo that is typically faster than allegro, the preceding tempo marking. It is a directive for musicians to play a composition or section with a sense of urgency, briskness, and excitement.

    In addition to its musical connotation, presto can also be used figuratively to describe a swift or instantaneous action or change. In this sense, it implies that something happens suddenly and without delay. For instance, one might say, "Presto, she finished her homework," emphasizing the quickness in completing the task.

    Furthermore, the term "presto" is commonly associated with a magical or theatrical flourish. It is often invoked by magicians or illusionists when performing tricks, suggesting that something will happen instantly or mysteriously. The word reflects a notion of instantaneous transformation or appearance, adding an element of surprise and wonder to the performance.

    Overall, whether used to denote a fast tempo in music or a sudden action in everyday language, presto signifies speed, alacrity, and suddenness, evoking a sense of liveliness, urgency, and enchantment.

  2. In music, a term denoting quick time; used among jugglers as a word of command for sudden changes; at hand; at once; quick.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for PRESTO *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for PRESTO

Etymology of PRESTO

The word "presto" is derived from Italian, and its etymology can be traced back to the Latin term "praestus", meaning "ready, quick, prompt". In Italian, "presto" means "quickly" or "fast". The term was adopted in music to indicate a brisk or rapid tempo.

Idioms with the word PRESTO

  • hey presto The definition of the idiom "hey presto" is an exclamation used to suggest that something magical or unexpected has happened, or to draw attention to a surprising or instantaneous result. It is often used to imply that a problem has been effortlessly solved or that a desired outcome has occurred suddenly and miraculously.

Similar spelling words for PRESTO

Plural form of PRESTO is PRESTOS

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