serenade

1 of 2

noun

ser·​e·​nade ˌser-ə-ˈnād How to pronounce serenade (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Twain's creamy serenade Nestlé's Coffee Mate makes its Super Bowl debut with a collaboration featuring Shania Twain. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 3 Feb. 2025 According to Magnus, 20, his dad’s friend John C. Reilly once treated a party to a sweet serenade. Jack Smart, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
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 See all Example Sentences for serenade 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of serenade was in 1649

Dictionary Entries Near serenade

Cite this Entry

“Serenade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serenade. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

serenade

1 of 2 noun
ser·​e·​nade ˌser-ə-ˈnād How to pronounce serenade (audio)
: 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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