subito

[soo-bi-toh, soo-bee-taw]

adverb

1. (as a musical direction) suddenly; abruptly.

   subito pianissimo.

subito

/ ˈsuːbɪˌtəʊ /

adverb

1. sub. music (preceding or following a dynamic marking, etc) suddenly; immediately

Word History and Origins

Origin of subito¹

First recorded in 1715–25; from Italian, from Latin subitō originally, ablative singular neuter of subitus “sudden,” equivalent to sub- sub- + -i- (base of īre “to go”) + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of subito¹

C18: via Italian from Latin: suddenly, from subitus sudden, from subīre to approach, from _sub- (indicating stealth) + īre to go

Example Sentences

They are always served with the question, “Mangia subito?” — to which the answer can only be, “Yes, I am eating this immediately.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• abrupt 
• hasty 
• immediate 
• precipitous 
• quick 
• rapid 
• swift 
• unforeseen 
• unusual