Skip to content

cadence

cadence, rhythm

noun ka-DAHNS Rare
Arts & Culture Music

Origin: Italian cadenza, from Latin cadere, to fall

Also means

rate, pace

Usage Note

Cadence refers to musical or poetic rhythm as well as to the pace of work or production — à une cadence soutenue means 'at a sustained rate'. In military contexts, troops march en cadence. The verb cadencer means to give rhythm to something.

Examples

"Les soldats marchent en cadence."

Natural Translation

The soldiers march in step.

Literal Translation

The soldiers march in cadence.

Explore French by topic