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 group was equally adept with dancefloor fodder and gentle ballads. —Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 7 Mar. 2025

Love Is Blind thrives on overwrought music cues, and its soaring, on-the-nose ballads are just another layer of the show’s orchestrated melodrama. —Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2025

Warren’s iconic love ballads, played against the end credits, defined the ’90s. —Carrie Wittmer, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025

Crystal Monee Hall’s diverse score is filled with marches, anthems, ballads and ensemble numbers, with the highlights being the call-to-action songs. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 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