Duet

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -É›t

Origin

from Italian duetto 'short musical composition for two voices', diminutive of duo 'two', itself from Latin duo 'two'

Full definition of duet

Noun

1. (music) A musical composition in two parts, each performed by a single voice (singer, instrument or univoce ensemble).
2. A pair or couple, especially one that is harmonious or elegant.
• 2005, James Henderson, Caribbean and the BahamasThe fare is Caribbean with an Asian touch — millefeuille of sun-dried tomato, Paris mushrooms and chargrilled local asparagus followed by a duet of chicken and shrimp...

Related terms

• dual
• duo

Verb

1. (intransitive) To perform a duet.
2. (intransitive, zoology, of male and female pairs) To communicate (warnings, mating calls, etc.) through song.

Usage notes

In the UK and other Commonwealth countries, the present and past participles of this verb are often spelled with a double T: duetted and duetting

Anagrams

• Deut.
• 'tude