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

The College Football Playoff in Atlanta is getting a serenade. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2024

She was also seen receiving a package and a serenade from a mariachi band in Madrid in photos taken back in April. —Tommy McArdle, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Verb

Anthony Davis is the league’s second-leading scorer, and as he’s stepped to the foul line, the crowd has serenaded him on multiple occasions. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2024

Things fell apart publicly for the couple in July 2023 when Jackson left a viral — and highly criticized — comment critiquing the Akeelah and the Bee star's outfit on a video of Usher serenading her at his concert. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

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