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

The power ballad marks her first release as an independent artist through her own label, High Road Records. —Jack Irvin, People.com, 2 May 2025

Or the until-now-untapped viral potential of Celine Dion’s power ballad. —Francesca Street, CNN Money, 2 May 2025

That initial wave of symbolism was heavily seen during the final ballad as the Statue of Liberty’s head emerged shielded by a mask. —Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 2 May 2025

The Beyoncé who once delivered some of the big ballads that are more the stock-in-trade of her closest diva equivalents is still in hibernation, surely to return someday, but not just yet. —Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Apr. 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

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