# recitative

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɹɛsɪtəˈtiːv/ · frequency rank #76,258

## Definitions
1. dialogue, in an opera etc, that, rather than being sung as an aria, is reproduced with the rhythms of normal speech, often with simple musical accompaniment or harpsichord continuo, serving to expound the plot.

## Etymology
From Italian recitativo, from recitare, from Latin recitō.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/recitative