Words to Describe Cadence:
Tempo, rhythm, sound,
and more in written language
Words listed below have been categorized (where
possible). Some words cross categories. These are by no means
comprehensive lists. Feel free to add more words.
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Tempo |
Rhythm |
Sound Quality |
Miscellaneous |
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Allegro |
Bopping |
Chaotic |
Dramatic |
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Deliberate |
Building |
Clashing
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Epic |
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Driving |
Calming |
Dissonant |
Free-form |
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Easy-going |
Chaotic |
Entwining |
Gothic |
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Energetic |
Choppy |
Exotic |
Improvised |
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Fast-paced |
Disorderly |
Fluctuating |
Over-lapped |
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Festive |
Fluid |
Grating |
Repetitive |
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Frantic |
Funky |
Harsh |
Rigid |
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Frenzied |
Groovy |
Heavy |
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Hasty |
Jazzy |
High-pitched |
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Hyper |
Plucky |
Jazzy |
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Leisurely |
Pounding |
Light |
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Listless |
Rugged |
Melancholic |
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Lively |
Skippy |
Monotonous |
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Manic |
Smooth |
Raspy |
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Measured |
Soothing |
Rough |
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Mellow |
Sporadic |
Sharp |
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Moderate |
Staccato |
Smoky |
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Plodding |
Surging |
Smooth |
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Rapid |
Swaying |
Sultry |
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Relaxing |
Syncopated |
Trilling |
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Rushed |
Thundering |
Undulating |
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Serene |
Unorganized |
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Slow-paced |
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Sluggish |
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Steady |
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Unwinding |
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