A1 noun Neutral

tempo

/ˈtem.pəʊ/

Tempo is the speed at which music is played or a movement is performed. It describes how fast or slow the beat of a song or an activity is.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The song has a very fast tempo, so it is good for dancing.

The music moves at a high speed, making it great for dance.

2

The conductor requested a slower tempo for the second part of the concert.

The leader of the orchestra asked for a lower speed during the second section.

3

I really like the tempo of this beat; it's perfect for my workout.

I enjoy the speed of this rhythm; it works well for my exercise.

Word Family

Noun
tempo
Related
timing
💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'Metronome' clicking fast or slow; the speed of those clicks is the 'Tempo'.

Quick Quiz

The drummer must keep a steady ______ so the rest of the band stays together.

Correct!

The correct answer is: tempo

Examples

1

The song has a very fast tempo, so it is good for dancing.

everyday

The music moves at a high speed, making it great for dance.

2

The conductor requested a slower tempo for the second part of the concert.

formal

The leader of the orchestra asked for a lower speed during the second section.

3

I really like the tempo of this beat; it's perfect for my workout.

informal

I enjoy the speed of this rhythm; it works well for my exercise.

4

In this study, the tempo of the background music affected the participants' heart rates.

academic

In this research, the speed of the music influenced how fast the people's hearts beat.

5

We need to increase the tempo of our work to finish the project on time.

business

We must increase the speed of our tasks to complete the project by the deadline.

Word Family

Noun
tempo
Related
timing

Common Collocations

fast tempo a high speed
slow tempo a low speed
steady tempo a consistent speed
upbeat tempo a fast and happy speed
pick up the tempo to increase the speed

Common Phrases

pick up the tempo

to start doing something faster

at a brisk tempo

moving at a quick and energetic speed

keep the tempo

to maintain a consistent speed

Often Confused With

tempo vs temperature

Temperature is how hot or cold something is, while tempo is how fast music is.

tempo vs rhythm

Rhythm is the pattern of the notes, while tempo is the speed of those notes.

📝

Usage Notes

While mainly used in music, 'tempo' can also describe the pace of life, a game, or a work project.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'big' or 'small' for tempo; instead, use 'fast', 'quick', 'slow', or 'brisk'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'Metronome' clicking fast or slow; the speed of those clicks is the 'Tempo'.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin word 'tempus', which means 'time'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Commonly follows adjectives like 'fast', 'slow', or 'steady' The plural can be 'tempos' or the musical 'tempi'
🌍

Cultural Context

In classical music, Italian words like 'Allegro' (fast) or 'Adagio' (slow) are used to define the tempo.

Quick Quiz

The drummer must keep a steady ______ so the rest of the band stays together.

Correct!

The correct answer is: tempo

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hue

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