legato UK /ləˈɡɑ.təʊ/US /ləˈɡɑ.toʊ/noun 2adverb 1forms 1 noun2 •A style of performance characterized by smoothly connected notes.At the end of the prelude of Caprice V, there is a chromatic ascending and descending scale of forty-eight notes to be played in one bow in legato. — 1979 •A passage that is played legato.It schools the mind to watch for the legato all the time, as its absence at the organ is mor prominent than at the piano; but beyond this point it renders little assitance to the pianist. — 1893 adverb1 •Smoothly, in a connected manner.Play this passage legato, not portato. formslegatos
