pres·to
ˈpre-(ˌ)stō 
—used to indicate the sudden appearance or occurrence of something often as if by magic
presto
2 of 3adverb or adjective
1
: suddenly as if by magic : immediately
2
: at a rapid tempo
—used as a direction in music
Synonyms
Examples of presto in a Sentence
Adverb or adjective
the hungry men dived into the food and, presto, it was gone
Recent Examples on the Web
Patrick Bedard, Car and Driver, 29 May 2020
And, — presto! change-o! — Kiner-Falefa winds up as the third baseman.
—Dallas News, 9 Mar. 2020
Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2023
The presto of the third was kept extra-presto, with beguiling feints (or faints?) of volume in the repeating theme of the strings.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 13 May 2023
See all Example Sentences for presto 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adverb or adjective
In second gear, his singing V-8 seems to jump tempo, allegro to presto.
—Patrick Bedard, Car and Driver, 29 May 2020
And, — presto! change-o! — Kiner-Falefa winds up as the third baseman.
—Dallas News, 9 Mar. 2020
Noun
Throw it on alongside your favorite ambient record and presto: instant Burial.
—Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2023
The presto of the third was kept extra-presto, with beguiling feints (or faints?) of volume in the repeating theme of the strings.
—Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 13 May 2023
See all Example Sentences for presto
Dictionary Entries Near presto
Cite this Entry
“Presto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/presto. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share