recitative
ˌrɛsɪtəˈtiːv
Definition Synonyms

Definition of recitative - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

opera musicTECH.music sung in a way that sounds like talkingTECH.
  • The recitative moved the story forward between arias.
declamation intonation

Adjective

musicTECH.relating to a style of musical declamationTECH.
  • The recitative passage in the opera highlighted the dramatic text.
declamatory narrative
Add a suggestion |

Origin of recitative

Italian, recitativo (narrative)

Terms with recitative included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
music
musical style more melodic than recitative

Examples of recitative in a sentence

  • The opera began with a short recitative.
  • The singer's recitative style captivated the audience.
  • Her recitative delivery added depth to the performance.

View all translations of recitative

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:récitatif, ...
  2. German:Rezitativ, deklamatorisch, ...
  3. Italian:recitativo, declamatorio, ...
  4. Spanish:recitativo, declamatorio, ...
  5. Portuguese:recitativo, declamatório, ...
  6. Chinese:宣叙调, 宣叙调的, ...
  7. Japanese:レチタティーヴォ, レチタティーヴォの, ...
  8. Arabic:غناء سردي, إنشادي, ...
  9. Hebrew:רֵצִיטָטִיב, רֵצִיטָטִיבִי, ...
  10. Russian:речитатив, речитативный, ...
  11. Ukrainian:речитатив, речитативний, ...
  12. Hindi:रेकिटेटिव, गायन शैली से संबंधित, ...

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery