English

forte (1)

Etymology

From French fort, strong, from Latin fortis, strong

Pronunciation

(UK) IPA: /fɔt/ or /fɔtˈeɪ/ or /ˈfɔteɪ/

(US) IPA: /fɔɻt/ or /fɔɻtˈeɪ/

The two syllable pronunciation is most often used for the definition meaning "strength or talent," whereas the one syllable pronunciation is usually used for the other meanings.

Noun

pl. fortes

1. a strength or talent

   He writes respectably, but poetry is not his forte.

2. the strong part of a sword blade, close to the hilt.

Translations

forte (2)

Etymology

From Italian forte, strong

Pronunciation

(UK) IPA: /ˈfɔteɪ/

(US) IPA: /ˈfɔɻteɪ/

Noun

pl. fortes

1. a passage in music to be played loudly; a loud section of music.

   This forte marks the climax of the second movement.

Adjective

1. music: loud (abbreviated in musical notation with an f, unicode character 1D141)

   This passage is forte, then there's a diminuendo to mezzo piano.

Adverb

1. music: loudly

   The musicians played the passage forte.

Translations

Related terms

• fortepiano
• fortissimo
• mezzo forte
• pianoforte

See also

• piano

French

Adjective

forte f

1. female form of fort, powerful, strong

Italian

Adjective

1. strong.