ballad

American  

[bal-uhd] / ˈbæl əd /

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.

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ballad British  

/ 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

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ballad ¹ Cultural  

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.

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ballad ² Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• balladic adjective
• balladlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of ballad

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

Example Sentences

Around 163 million people tuned in to last year's contest, which offered songs ranging from ebullient bangers to soulful ballads.

From BBC

The star, known for power ballads like My Heart Will Go On and Because You Loved Me, will play a 10-night residency at the 40,000-capacity Paris La Défense Arena in September and October.

From BBC

Ridings had been thrust into the limelight with her Brit Award-nominated debut in 2017, celebrated for her rich, pure-toned vocals on ballads like Lost Without You and the summery pop masterpiece Castles.

From BBC

He was known for his powerful voice, moving easily between romantic ballads and more sombre songs.

From BBC

She was an unknown artist in 1979, and she wanted to cut a ballad.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• chant
• ditty