Ballad: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ถ
ballad
[ หbรฆl.ษd ]
music
A ballad is a song or poem that tells a story, often about love or adventure. Ballads are typically slow-paced and emotional, with a simple melody and lyrics that are easy to remember.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| ballad |
Usually refers to a narrative poem or song that tells a story, often dealing with dramatic or romantic themes. Typically has a repeated refrain.
|
| song |
A piece of music performed by a singer, usually with instrumental accompaniment. It has a melody and often includes lyrics.
|
| poem |
A broad term that describes a piece of writing that often uses meter, rhyme, or free verse to evoke emotions and convey ideas. Poems can be of various lengths and formats.
|
| lyric |
Typically refers to the words of a song, focusing on the emotional and personal content. It can also describe a type of personal, expressive poetry.
|
Examples of usage
- She sang a beautiful ballad about lost love.
- The troubadour performed a traditional ballad at the medieval fair.
literature
In literature, a ballad is a narrative poem that is often set to music. Ballads are characterized by their simple language, repetitive structure, and focus on a specific event or legend.
Synonyms
folk song, narrative poem, verse.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| ballad |
A ballad often tells a story through simple and emotionally appealing lyrics. It's usually associated with a sentimental or romantic theme.
|
| narrative poem |
A narrative poem highlights detailed storytelling through verse. It usually has a structured form, with a plot, characters, and a sequence of events.
|
| folk song |
A folk song is typically a traditional song passed down through generations, often reflecting cultural themes and village life. It is simple and informal.
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| verse |
Verse refers to a single line of poetry or a section of a poem, often emphasizing rhythm and meter. Itโs a generic term for poetic composition.
|
Examples of usage
- The ballad of Robin Hood is a famous example of a narrative poem.
- She wrote a haunting ballad about the ghostly figure in the castle.
Translations
Translations of the word "ballad" in other languages:
๐ต๐น balada
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฌเคฒเฅเคฒเคพเคก
๐ฉ๐ช Ballade
๐ฎ๐ฉ balada
๐บ๐ฆ ะฑะฐะปะฐะดะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ ballada
๐ฏ๐ต ใใฉใผใ
๐ซ๐ท ballade
๐ช๐ธ balada
๐น๐ท balad
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฐ๋ผ๋
๐ธ๐ฆ ุจุงูุงุฏ
๐จ๐ฟ balada
๐ธ๐ฐ balada
๐จ๐ณ ๅไบ่ฏ
๐ธ๐ฎ balada
๐ฎ๐ธ ballaรฐa
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฑะฐะปะปะฐะดะฐ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ balada
๐ฒ๐ฝ balada
Etymology
The word 'ballad' originated from the French word 'ballade', which came from the Old Provenรงal word 'ballada' meaning 'a dance song'. Ballads have been a popular form of storytelling and music for centuries, with roots in folk traditions and oral history. They have been used to pass down legends, recount historical events, and express emotions through music and poetry.
See also: ball, ballet, ballgame, ballot, ballpark, ballroom, balls.