ballad

[ bal-uhd ]

noun

1. any light, simple song, especially one of sentimental or romantic character, having two or more stanzas all sung to the same melody.
2. a simple narrative poem of folk origin, composed in short stanzas and adapted for singing.
3. any poem written in similar style.
4. the music for a ballad.
5. a sentimental or romantic popular song.

ballad

/ ˈbæləd /

noun

1. a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
2. a narrative poem in short stanzas of popular origin, originally sung to a repeated tune
3. a slow sentimental song, esp a pop song

ballad

¹

1. A simple narrative song, or, alternatively, a narrative poem suitable for singing. ( See under “Conventions of Written English.” )

ballad

²

1. A simple narrative song, or a narrative poem suitable for singing. The ballad usually has a short stanza , such as:

   There are twelve months in all the year,

   As I hear many men say,

   But the merriest month in all the year

   Is the merry month of May.

Other Words From

• bal·lad·ic [b, uh, -, lad, -ik], adjective
• ballad·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballad¹

1350–1400; Middle English balade < Middle French < Old Provençal balada dance, dancing-song, equivalent to bal ( ar ) to dance (< Late Latin ballāre; ball ² ) + -ada -ade ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ballad¹

C15: from Old French balade , from Old Provençal balada song accompanying a dance, from balar to dance, from Late Latin ballāre ; see ball ²

Example Sentences

Sailor Song, an aching love ballad about falling for a woman who looks like the actress Anne Hathaway, exploded online in June and quickly became a real-world success.

From BBC

The song “Nazarene,” which plays over the end titles, is both a ballad and a kind of prayer.

From Los Angeles Times

One is an intimate empowerment ballad from a Tyler Perry historical drama on Netflix.

From Los Angeles Times

But then she reminds me of the ’80s ballad “The Living Years,” and soon we’re diving into its message about regret and unresolved conflict.

From Los Angeles Times

She is famous for singing ballads - including La Vie en Rose, Milord and La Foule.

From BBC

Related Words

• chant
• ditty