serenade

American  

[ser-uh-neyd] / ˌsɛr əˈneɪd /

noun

1. a complimentary performance of vocal or instrumental music in the open air at night, as by a lover under the window of his lady.

2. a piece of music suitable for such performance.

3. serenata.

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verb (used with or without object)

serenaded, serenading

1. to entertain with or perform a serenade.

serenade British  

/ ˌsɛrɪˈneɪd /

noun

1. a piece of music appropriate to the evening, characteristically played outside the house of a woman

2. a piece of music indicative or suggestive of this

3. an extended composition in several movements similar to the modern suite or divertimento

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verb

1. (tr) to play a serenade for (someone)

2. (intr) to play a serenade

Other Word Forms

• serenader noun
• unserenaded adjective

Etymology

Origin of serenade

1640–50; < French sérénade < Italian serenata; serenata

Example Sentences

Mohamed Salah took everything in at full-time of Liverpool's 2-0 Premier League win over Brighton, applauding all four sides of Anfield while home fans serenaded their 'Egyptian king' with his familiar song.

From BBC

Last year, India’s richest family made headlines worldwide with an eye-popping wedding extravaganza serenaded by Rihanna and attended by Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates.

From The Wall Street Journal

She knew her guests had studied the music of Stephen Foster in school, so she arranged for a group to serenade them with songs like “Oh! Susanna” and “My Old Kentucky Home.”

From The Wall Street Journal

That came under manager George Graham in an era that inspired the famous "1-0 to the Arsenal" chant to serenade a team with the kind of defensive resilience that Arteta's men are replicating.

From BBC

At the Tuesday night gala, the president’s favorite tenor, Christopher Macchio, serenaded business executives.

From The Wall Street Journal