What does prestissimo mean?
“Prestissimo” is an adverb used especially in music to mean “as fast as possible.” It is the superlative of the musical direction “presto,” and it tells performers that a passage should be executed at the highest practical speed. The term appears in scores, concert descriptions, reviews, and informal references to rapid performance. Outside music, “prestissimo” can suggest that an action was completed remarkably quickly, often with a mildly humorous or emphatic tone. Because it is borrowed directly from Italian and is associated with a specialized musical convention, it is more expressive and distinctive than the ordinary English words “very quickly” or “at high speed.”
adverbAs fast as possible, especially in a musical direction indicating that a passage should be played very quickly. It is the superlative of “presto.”
- As fast as possible; very quickly, especially as a direction in music.
"The violin raced through the final movement, marked prestissimo by the conductor."
"The pianist launched into the coda at prestissimo."
"After the slow introduction, the orchestra entered the section marked prestissimo."
One musical marking can tell performers to reach the limit of speed: prestissimo means “as fast as possible.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of prestissimo
The word comes from Italian, where “prestissimo” is the superlative of “presto,” meaning “fast” or “quickly.” Italian “presto” ultimately derives from Latin “praesto,” an adverb meaning “at hand,” “ready,” or “immediately.” The musical term entered English use through Italian musical terminology, with “presto” established before the further superlative form “prestissimo.”
How prestissimo is actually used
This is primarily a musical term. It is also used figuratively for something performed or completed with exceptional speed, though that use is less formal.
Easily confused with prestissimo
“Presto” means fast or quickly, while “prestissimo” is the superlative form and means as fast as possible.