What musical term means loud, with its opposite being soft?

The term that means loud is "forte." In musical notation, it is often indicated by the letter "f." This term is used to instruct performers to play or sing with strength and volume. Forte is essential in conveying the dynamics of a piece, helping to create contrast and expressiveness in the music.

The opposite of forte is "piano," which means soft, indicated by the letter "p." Understanding these terms is crucial for musicians as they guide how the dynamics should be interpreted and performed in a given piece. The other options, "legato" and "ritardando," refer to different musical concepts; legato pertains to playing or singing notes smoothly and connectedly, while ritardando indicates a gradual slowing down of the tempo. These terms contribute to the overall expression of a performance but are not related to the concept of loudness or softness.