Showing results for mood music. Search instead for mood+music.

mood music

American

noun

music comprised chiefly of popular songs in lush orchestral arrangements, intended to provide a relaxing, soothing atmosphere.

mood music British

noun

recorded music played in the background in a place to establish a mood of relaxation, calm, etc
a prevailing atmosphere or feeling

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of mood music

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Chuck in a strong earnings season, with average S&P 500 profit growth projected at 13%, and renewed confidence in artificial intelligence after OpenAI’s latest mega funding round External link and the mood music seems good.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

"At a national election, it's about the national mood music."

From BBC • Dec. 3, 2025

Jazz is not some nice mood music for a party.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2025

Normally Fang would come over and my dad would throw on some mood music and my mom would whip up the eggnog and, while she was at it, a couple presents for my friend.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023