ballad

noun

bal·​lad ˈba-ləd 

1

a

: a narrative composition in rhythmic verse suitable for singing

a ballad about King Arthur

b

: an art song accompanying a traditional ballad

2

: a simple song : air

3

: a popular song

especially : a slow romantic or sentimental song

a ballad they danced to at their wedding reception

balladic

bə-ˈla-dik 

ba-

adjective

Synonyms of ballad

• song
• hymn
• lyric
• anthem
• vocal
• lullaby

Examples of ballad in a Sentence

a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness

Recent Examples on the Web

Pop crossovers, polished ballads and the young seeds of bro-country were what populated the radio, but Church loved harder rock influences, outlaw heroes, and even the Muscle Shoals soul. — Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 16 July 2026

While sharing her Beauty Secrets with Vogue, the 20-year-old explains that the bittersweet ballad was inspired by a Japanese phrase that means, essentially, everything beautiful is temporary. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 14 July 2026

But in keeping with its protagonist’s difficulty staring at his feelings head-on, The Vampire Lestat—and the marketing that preceded its premiere—doesn’t start with ballads or sensual odes to far-reaching love. — Hannah Giorgis Yohannes, Vanity Fair, 13 July 2026

As the group grew in fame and notoriety, their sound evolved, mixing heavy metal with more emotional, dynamic ballads. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English balad, balade, ballade, balett "poem or song in stanza form, poem or stanza in rhyme royal or a similar form," borrowed from Middle French balade, going back to Old French barade, balade "song to be danced to, short poem to be sung," borrowed from Old Occitan ballada, from ballar "to dance" (going back to Late Latin ballāre) + -ada -ade — more at ball entry 3

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing ballad

• ballad stanza

Rhymes for ballad

• pallid
• salad
• valid

Kids Definition

ballad

noun

bal·​lad ˈbal-əd 

1

: a poem that tells a story of adventure, of romance, or of a hero, that is suitable for singing, and that usually has stanzas of four lines with a rhyme on the second and fourth lines

2

: a simple song

3

: a usually slow or sentimental popular song