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

• ditty
• jingle
• lay
• lyric
• song
• vocal

Examples of ballad in a Sentence

a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness

Recent Examples on the Web

His voice is notably more robust which makes for ballads that pack a much heavier punch than some of his earlier efforts in that space. —Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2025

The combination of classic material and an A-list of artists from multiple generations would have been enough to melt anyone’s icy blue heart, even the chilly woman who was the subject of the old Hiatt ballad of that name. —Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Feb. 2025

Levine, 45, impressively hit the high notes throughout the ballad. —Daniela Avila, People.com, 4 Feb. 2025

The four-chair turn’s jazzy tone easily veered back and forth on Maroon 5’s ballad from growly to pleasantly… well, squeaky. —Charlie Mason, TVLine, 3 Feb. 2025

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

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