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

But beyond that story, there is the beauty of the song itself, a ballad where Sanz’s voice shines above a measured and subtle accompaniment and that speaks of the dissolution of love despite the best intentions. —Leila Cobo, Billboard, 25 Oct. 2024

Laura Marling: Patterns in Repeat [Chrysalis/Partisan] Laura Marling’s first album in four years is a trove of nocturnal ballads and introspective lullabies recorded in the room with her newborn daughter. —Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2024

Payne’s inflections shined the most on ballads like these, where there was nothing but vocals and guitars. —Thania Garcia, Variety, 17 Oct. 2024

Serving Whitney-caliber vocals on Tamar Braxton’s ballad, Aliyah was just jaw-droppingly good. —Charlie Mason, TVLine, 15 Oct. 2024

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