Meaning & use

da capo

adverb·Advanced

A musical direction instructing performers to repeat a piece from the beginning.

See it in a sentence

The conductor marked 'da capo' at the end of the score so the band would replay the opening theme.

After the bridge, the sheet music said da capo, sending the pianist back to measure one.

A note on using this word

Often abbreviated 'D.C.' in sheet music; it is typically paired with 'al fine,' meaning repeat until the word 'fine.'

Words with a similar meaning

from the beginning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

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