What does piccolo mean?
A piccolo is a small transverse flute with a high, brilliant, and penetrating tone. It belongs to the flute family and is the smallest member of that family, with a range and sound noticeably higher than the standard flute. In orchestral and band music, the piccolo is often assigned agile, rapid passages and can add piercing emphasis or playful color. The word can also function as an adjective meaning small or diminutive, especially in musical terminology. Although its compact size may suggest a modest role, a piccolo can project strongly across a concert hall, making it capable of cutting through dense textures. Its characteristic brilliance makes it especially effective in high-energy passages, cadenzas, and moments of orchestral climax.
A small, high-pitched flute in the flute family, played by blowing across its edge and usually held horizontally.
"The conductor cued the piccolo for the rapid final passage."
The instrument is common in orchestras, concert bands, and solo repertoire.
Small or diminutive, especially in a musical context.
"The composer asked for a piccolo solo at the end of the movement."
This use is chiefly associated with musical instruments, performers, and related terminology.
The plural is piccolos, referring to the instruments or, less commonly, to the players.
"The two piccolos entered together during the final cadence."
The piccolo is the smallest and highest-pitched instrument in the flute family, but its bright, piercing sound can command an entire orchestra.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does piccolo come from?
The word comes from Italian, where piccolo means “small” and was developed as a diminutive of the word pico. It entered English in the early 19th century as the name of the small flute, which was distinguished by its higher pitch and lighter sound than the ordinary flute.
Related word forms
How piccolo is actually used
As an adjective, piccolo is mainly used in music-related descriptions, such as piccolo solo, piccolo player, or piccolo trumpet. As a noun, it is also used for a musician who plays the instrument.