melody

¹

[ mel-uh-dee ]

noun

, plural mel·o·dies.

1. musical sounds in agreeable succession or arrangement.
2. Music.
   1. the succession of single tones in musical compositions, as distinguished from harmony and rhythm.
   2. the principal part in a harmonic composition; the air.
   3. a rhythmical succession of single tones producing a distinct musical phrase or idea.

   Synonyms: theme, descant, song, tune

3. a poem suitable for singing.
4. intonation, as of a segment of connected speech.

Melody

²

[ mel-uh-dee ]

noun

1. a female given name.

melody

/ ˈmɛlədɪ /

noun

1. music
   1. a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence; tune
   2. the horizontally represented aspect of the structure of a piece of music Compare harmony
2. sounds that are pleasant because of tone or arrangement, esp words of poetry

Other Words From

• melo·dy·less adjective
• under·melo·dy noun plural undermelodies

Word History and Origins

Origin of melody¹

1250–1300; Middle English melodie from Medieval Latin melōdia from Greek melōidía “(choral) singing,” equivalent to mel- ( melic ) + -ōid- ( ode ) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of melody¹

C13: from Old French, from Late Latin melōdia, from Greek melōidia singing, from melos song + -ōidia, from aoidein to sing

Synonym Study

See harmony.

Example Sentences

Halfway through, he ran to the piano and tapped out a “somber and slow” waltz idea, and on top of it a dark, coiling melody — with “something off but also maybe something romantic in it.”

From Los Angeles Times

Although no one is really meant to hear them, all of Wise’s melodies have lyrics, he said.

From New York Times

His song Kehlani contains elements of R&B melodies and rap..

From BBC

“He just had me sing some melodies, or create sounds with my voice that might match or complement or counterpoint the words and phrases,” Gershon said.

From Los Angeles Times

One of the only times I’ve ever been inspired to write a melody was going across the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver — a melody came to me for the love theme of “St. Elmo’s Fire.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chant
• lyric
• music
• refrain
• theme