serenade

1 of 2

noun

ser·​e·​nade ˌser-ə-ˈnād 

1

a

: a complimentary vocal or instrumental performance

especially : one given outdoors at night for a woman being courted

b

: a work so performed

2

: an instrumental composition in several movements, written for a small ensemble, and midway between the suite and the symphony in style

serenade

2 of 2

verb

serenaded; serenading

intransitive verb

: to play a serenade

transitive verb

: to perform a serenade in honor of

serenader noun

Examples of serenade in a Sentence

Verb

He serenaded her from the garden below her window.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Hudson’s accordion seems to come strolling in from a sidewalk serenade to meet Helm’s amused, exasperated vocal, joshing him along with countermelodies, trills and wheezily encouraging chords. —Jon Pareles, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025

Beginning with a serenade from Kehlani, the song finds GloRilla reminiscing on her less fortunate days of Christmas past while reminding to remain grateful despite one’s circumstances. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 13 Dec. 2024

Verb

Paris may be the City of Love and Venice known for its grand gestures like gondoliers serenading couples in the canals. —Brittany Anas, The Denver Post, 30 Jan. 2025

In 2001, Beyoncé performed at George W. Bush’s inauguration with Destiny’s Child, only to serenade Barack Obama when the 44th president took office in 2009. —Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French sérénade, from Italian serenata, from sereno clear, calm (of weather), from Latin serenus serene

First Known Use

Noun

1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1668, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

serenade

1 of 2 noun

ser·​e·​nade ˌser-ə-ˈnād 

: music as sung or played outdoors at night for a woman

serenade

2 of 2 verb

serenaded; serenading

: to entertain with or perform a serenade

serenader noun