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Moderately fast, a little slower than Allegro. Typically 112–120 BPM.
Allegretto implies lightness and charm more than speed — it is the diminutive of Allegro ("a little cheerful"). Use it for movements with grace and wit, or as a substitute for a traditional slow movement when you want something lighter.
Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, second movement (Allegretto) — the famous processional ostinato, proving that Allegretto can be deeply serious despite its "cheerful" etymology.
Allegretto is one of 228 terms in the Gradus musical dictionary, where every definition is written around how composers actually use the word.
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