Diminuendo – Gradually getting quieter and slowing down

(Pronounced dih-min-yoo-en-doh)

To remember what diminuendo means, use the following mnemonic:

The sound of the foghorn will dim in the end (diminuendo): as you speed away from the shore it will gradually get quieter. Now the noise is less he can gradually slow down too.

Note: Decrescendo means to decrease in volume while diminuendo means to decrease in volume and slow down. 

Examples of diminuendo in a sentence

The violinist introduced diminuendo at the end of her performance, slowing the pace and reducing volume almost to the point of inaudibility.

His first diminuendo impressed the audience, maintaining the lively character of the piece while it became slower and quieter.

The fast pace and high volume diminished gradually into diminuendo, changing the mood from celebration to introspection.