mezza voce

adverb or adjective

mez·​za vo·​ce ˌmet-sä-ˈvō-(ˌ)chā How to pronounce mezza voce (audio)
ˌmed-zä-
: with medium or half volume
—used as a direction in music

Word History

Etymology

Italian, half voice

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mezza voce was in 1776

Rhymes for mezza voce

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Browse Nearby Words

mezza orchestra
mezza voce
mezzo
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Cite this Entry

“Mezza voce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mezza%20voce. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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