Melody: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'melody' when referring to a sequence of musical notes that are tuneful and memorable. It's usually the main part of a musical composition that you'll hum or sing along to.

• The melody of that song has been stuck in my head all day.
• She played a beautiful melody on the piano.

'Tune' is often used informally to refer to a musical piece that is catchy or easy to sing. It can also mean adjusting musical instruments to the correct pitch.

• That's a catchy tune!
• He tuned his guitar before the performance.

'Harmony' is used when discussing the combination of different musical notes played or sung simultaneously to produce a pleasing sound. It often complements the melody.

• The harmony in this choir's performance is stunning.
• They worked together to create a harmony that enriched the song.

Refer to 'song' when talking about a piece of music that usually has lyrics and is sung. Songs can belong to various genres like pop, classical, or folk.

• What's your favorite song right now?
• She wrote a new song for her band.

Variant spelling, identical in meaning and usage to 'melody'. Used to describe a sequence of musical notes that are perceived as a single entity.

• The melody of the song was both haunting and beautiful.
• Composers spend a lot of time crafting the perfect melody.

Used to describe a specific rhythmic or melodic figure that marks the end of a phrase, section, or piece of music. In speech, it refers to the rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words.

• The symphony ended with a grand cadence that left the audience in awe.
• Her speech had a soothing cadence that was easy to listen to.

Used to describe the patterned, recurrent alternation of sounds or beats in music or speech. It involves the timing and duration of notes and how they are organized in time.

• The band's drummer maintained a steady rhythm that kept everyone dancing.
• She clapped her hands in rhythm with the music.