What does poco mean?
Poco means “a little” or “to a small extent.” It is most familiar in musical notation, where it modifies other instructions to indicate a restrained change: poco più mosso means “a little more movement,” while crescendo poco asks for only a slight increase in volume. The word can also appear in general writing, as in “revise the plan poco,” but that usage is less frequent and may sound slightly technical or informal. Its familiar companion phrase, poco a poco, means “little by little” and expresses gradual progress. Although poco comes from Italian, English speakers commonly pronounce it in an English-influenced way, while musicians may retain a pronunciation closer to the Italian. The word is useful because it conveys moderation precisely: not no change, but a deliberate and limited amount of it.
adverbTo a small extent; a little. In music, it is chiefly used as an instruction modifying another direction, such as a tempo, dynamic, or articulation marking.
- To a small extent; a little, especially when used as a musical instruction.
"The score directs the violins to crescendo poco, increasing the volume only slightly."
"The pianist played the final phrase poco più mosso, with a little more movement."
"The editor asked her to revise the introduction poco, making only a slight adjustment."
In a musical score, poco is a gentle brake: it asks performers to change by only a small amount.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does poco come from?
Poco entered English through Italian musical terminology. Italian poco means “a little” and derives from Latin paucum, the accusative form of paucus, meaning “few” or “little.” The same Latin root is reflected in English words such as paucity and pauciflorous.
How poco is actually used
Poco is primarily a term from musical directions and is often placed before another Italian instruction. In general English, it is uncommon and can sound technical or marked; poco a poco is the familiar expression meaning little by little.