melody

noun

mel·​o·​dy ˈme-lə-dē 

plural melodies

1

: a sweet or agreeable succession or arrangement of sounds

whilst all the winds with melody are ringing

—P. B. Shelley

2

: a rhythmic succession of single tones organized as an aesthetic whole

a hummable melody

the piper's fingers play the melody on a pipe called a chanter

—Pat Cahill

melodic

mə-ˈlä-dik 

adjective

melodically

mə-ˈlä-di-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms

• air
• lay
• song
• strain
• tune
• warble

Examples of melody in a Sentence

He wrote a piece that includes some beautiful melodies.

a composer known for his love of melody

He sang a few old melodies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her vacation inevitably became a songwriting session, because nothing cements a friendship more than finding the right melody for the right metaphor. —Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 26 Nov. 2024

Composers Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear were also in attendance at the event, who discussed what the melody and lyrics for this musical are really about. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Nov. 2024

That melody is taken up by a ghostly female choir (mirrored by flute) in this story full of ghosts both malevolent and salvific. —Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024

Like a symphony plays the same melody differently for a variety of emotions, Ree worked with editor Robert Stengård to show what Steen’s life meant to different people through formats and perspectives that fit each group. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English melodie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin melodia, from Greek melōidia chanting, music, from melos limb, musical phrase, song (probably akin to Breton mell joint) + aeidein to sing — more at ode

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

melody

noun

mel·​o·​dy ˈmel-əd-ē 

plural melodies

1

: a pleasing succession of sounds

2

: a series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect

3

: the leading part in a musical composition involving harmony