Standard Lemma guide

sinfonietta

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: sĭnfōnyĕʹtə
  • Received-Pronunciation: /sɪnfəʊˈnjɛtə/

1

noun

Meaning 1

A small-scale symphony (either in length or size of orchestra needed).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A small orchestra.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Either: * from Italian sinfonietta; * formed on the Italian roots sinfonia (“symphony”) + -etta (feminine diminutive suffix), either in English or in German (as Sinfonietta) and adopted thence; or, * an alteration of the French symphoniette to resemble an Italian construction of the form sinfonia + -etta. Compare the French–Italian hybrid symphonietta.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: sinfonietta — small-scale symphony
  • French: symphoniette — small-scale symphony
  • Romanian: simfonietă — small-scale symphony