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piano

Etymology and origin of the English word piano

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Both English words spelled piano go back to Italian piano “soft”, but the instrument came through the shortening of pianoforte.[1][2]

piano1 softly

Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
1683
Borrowed from
Italian piano
Ultimate origin
Latin (plānus)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /ˈpjɑː.nəʊ/, /piˈɑː.nəʊ/, US /ˈpjɑː.noʊ/[3]

Etymology

The musical direction is borrowed from Italian piano (“soft, softly”),[1][2][4] from Late Latin plānus (“smooth, graceful”), from Latin plānus (“flat, level”) (see plain),[1][2][5] from PIE Proto-Indo-European *pelh₂- (“flat; to spread”).[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Softly, in a low tone or voice, as a direction in music: 1683.[6][1][2]

Semantic evolution

As a noun, a soft or quiet passage, it is from 1730.[6] The SOED notes that the Latin adjective came to mean “soft, low” of sound.[7] In Italian buildings a piano is also a floor or storey (1860), as in piano nobile.[6][7]

Timeline

  • 1683 – softly, as a direction.[6][1]
  • 1730 – a soft passage.[6]
  • 1860 – a floor of an Italian house.[6]

Modern meaning

Adverb

  1. (music) Softly, quietly.

Adjective

  1. (music) Soft or quiet.

Noun

  1. (music) A passage to be played softly.

piano2 musical instrument

Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing, Clipping
First attested
1803
Borrowed from
French piano
Ultimate origin
Italian (piano e forte)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /piˈæn.əʊ/, /ˈpjæn.əʊ/, US /piˈæn.oʊ/[3]

Etymology

The instrument is borrowed from French piano, or Italian piano,[1][5] shortenings of pianoforte,[1][5][4] from Italian gravicembalo col piano e forte (“harpsichord with soft and loud”), so called because, unlike the harpsichord, it can play softly and loudly.[2] See piano1 and forte.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The keyboard instrument with hammers striking strings: 1803.[6][1][5]

Semantic evolution

The Century Dictionary, quoted by Etymonline, calls the pianoforte essentially a large dulcimer with a keyboard, which replaced the clavichord and harpsichord.[5] Piano wire is from 1831.[5] Pianist is from 1839, in Longfellow,[1] and piano-playing itself is called piano from 1946.[6] In American slang a piano was also a spare rib (1911).[6]

Timeline

  • 1803 – the instrument.[6][1]
  • 1831 – piano wire.[5]
  • 1839 – pianist, in Longfellow.[1]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A large keyboard instrument in which keys work hammers that strike metal strings, with pedals to soften or sustain the sound.
  2. The art or skill of playing this instrument.

Word family

  • pianist
  • grand piano
  • upright piano
  • player piano
  • piano accordion

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  2. ^ a b c d e f Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  3. ^ a b Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  4. ^ a b Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Piano.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/piano. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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