Crescendo – Gradually getting louder

(Pronounced kri-shen-doh)

To remember what crescendo means, use the following mnemonic:

When the creche ends (crescendo) the noise gets gradually louder as children see their parents.

Examples of crescendo in a sentence

The third movement builds up to a crescendo, becoming so loud it's almost deafening.

The whole song is really a crescendo, starting off slowly and quietly, but building inexorably towards ear-splitting delirium.

Too many crescendos can ruin a piece - the repeated increase and decrease in volume can become tedious.