Ballad: meaning, definitions and examples

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ballad

[ˈbæl.əd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

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

lyric, poem, song.

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. The old ballad recounted the hero's journey through perilous lands. They performed a haunting ballad that spoke of lost love.
song	A piece of music performed by a singer, usually with instrumental accompaniment. It has a melody and often includes lyrics. They sang a beautiful song at the wedding ceremony. Her new song has topped the charts for three weeks.
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. He wrote a poem to express his feelings about nature. The poem captures the essence of a tranquil morning in the countryside.
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. The lyrics of the song were deeply moving and relatable. Her latest collection of lyrics explores themes of heartbreak and recovery.

Examples of usage

She sang a beautiful ballad about lost love.
The troubadour performed a traditional ballad at the medieval fair.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

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. She sang an old ballad about lost love The bard's ballad moved everyone to tears
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. He penned a narrative poem about a legendary battle The narrative poem captured the hero's journey in vivid detail
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. The villagers gathered around the fire to sing a folk song Folk songs often tell stories about the history and beliefs of a community
verse	Verse refers to a single line of poetry or a section of a poem, often emphasizing rhythm and meter. It’s a generic term for poetic composition. She wrote a touching verse about nature Each verse in the poem conveyed deep emotions

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.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The word 'ballad' comes from the Old French 'ballade,' which meant a dancing song.
Ballads emerged in medieval Europe and were passed down orally before being written down, making them a crucial part of folk culture.
Many early ballads were about real-life events, like battles and love stories, helping people remember their history.

Literature

In literature, ballads often follow a rhyme scheme and use a rhythmic pattern, making them easy to remember and sing.
Famous poets like Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth used the ballad form to explore themes of nature and humanity in their works.
Ballads have a conversational tone, which invites listeners into the story, making them relatable and engaging.

Pop Culture

Many popular music artists create ballads today, highlighting emotions and personal stories, like Adele and Ed Sheeran.
Ballads frequently appear in movies and television shows, often set during romantic or dramatic moments to enhance storytelling.
The ballad form has evolved with pop music, leading to the creation of power ballads that emphasize strong emotions and vocal performance.

Music

Musical ballads typically feature simple melodies and are often accompanied by soft instruments, creating an intimate listening experience.
There are various styles of ballads across cultures, from the American folk ballad tradition to the traditional Spanish romance, each with unique storytelling elements.
Ballads often explore universal themes like love, loss, and longing, making them timeless and relatable for many generations.

Psychology

Listening to ballads can evoke strong emotions, as the combination of storytelling and music connects deeply with listeners’ feelings.
The narrative structure of ballads helps people process their own experiences by relating to the experiences depicted in the songs.
Research suggests that music, including ballads, can serve as a form of emotional expression and coping mechanism for many people.

Translations

Translations of the word "ballad" in other languages:

🇵🇹 balada

🇮🇳 बल्लाड

🇩🇪 Ballade

🇮🇩 balada

🇺🇦 балада

🇵🇱 ballada

🇯🇵 バラード

🇫🇷 ballade

🇪🇸 balada

🇹🇷 balad

🇰🇷 발라드

🇸🇦 بالاد

🇨🇿 balada

🇸🇰 balada

🇨🇳 叙事诗

🇸🇮 balada

🇮🇸 ballaða

🇰🇿 баллада

🇬🇪 ბალადა

🇦🇿 balada

🇲🇽 balada

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,353, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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12350 mythical
12351 witty
12352 expanse
12353 ballad
12354 tuna
12355 bullion
12356 coma
...