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

In Blue Velvet, Dorothy Valence’s (Isabella Rossellini) rendition of the title ballad is a conduit for her internal life. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 17 Jan. 2025

In the music video, released Monday, frontwoman Michelle Zauner sings the delicate ballad, while bassist Jungle twirls in a gleaming seashell, emulating a siren. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 14 Jan. 2025

Through introspective verses and melodic hooks, Rod continues to deliver bluesy, soul-baring hip-hop ballads. —Christopher Claxton, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2025

Released in December 1964, Smokey Robinson penned the sentimental ballad for the group because of David Ruffin. —Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 8 Jan. 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