Melody: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŽถ
Add to dictionary

melody

 

[หˆmษ›lษ™di ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

music

A sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying.

Synonyms

harmony, song, tune.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
melody

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

'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

'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.
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.

Examples of usage

  • The melody of the song was so beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes.
  • She hummed a catchy melody that stayed in my head all day.
Context #2 | Noun

poetry

The rhythmical succession of sounds in poetry.

Synonyms

cadence, rhythm.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
melody

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.
cadence

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.
rhythm

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.

Examples of usage

  • The poet crafted a delicate melody of words in his verses.
  • Her poetry was known for its lyrical melody.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word 'melody' comes from the Greek word 'melodia', which means 'singing' or 'tune'.
  • In ancient times, melodies were used in storytelling, helping to pass down history in a memorable way.
  • Early musical notation began developing in the 9th century, allowing melodies to be written down and shared.

Music Theory

  • Melody is one of the fundamental elements of music, often seen as the 'tune' that you remember from songs.
  • In music, melodies can be simple, like nursery rhymes, or complex, like classical symphonies.
  • Different cultures have distinct melodic scales; for example, Western music often uses major and minor scales.

Cultural Significance

  • Melodies play a crucial role in folk music traditions around the world, often reflecting cultural stories and values.
  • Many great composers, like Mozart and Beethoven, are celebrated for their unique melodic styles that are still loved today.
  • In various films and cartoons, memorable melodies are used to evoke emotions and define characters.

Psychology of Music

  • Research shows that melodies can influence our emotions, making us feel happy, sad, or excited.
  • Certain melodies are found to improve mood and cognitive functions, sometimes used in therapeutic settings.
  • Children learn language and social cues better when exposed to songs and melodies early in life.

Modern Usage

  • Popular music genres often rely on catchy melodies to hook listeners, making them memorable.
  • Melody can be layered and harmonized with other musical elements like rhythm and lyrics to create a fuller sound.
  • Technology has transformed how melodies are created, allowing for digital composition and mixing in modern music.

Translations

Translations of the word "melody" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น melodia

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเค‚เค—เฅ€เคค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Melodie

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ melodi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผะตะปะพะดั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ melodia

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒกใƒญใƒ‡ใ‚ฃใƒผ (merodฤซ)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท mรฉlodie

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ melodรญa

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท melodi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฉœ๋กœ๋”” (mellodi)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู„ุญู†

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ melodie

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ melรณdia

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ—‹ๅพ‹ (xuรกnlวœ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ melodija

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ lag

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ำ™ัƒะตะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒ”แƒšแƒแƒ“แƒ˜แƒ (melodia)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ melodiya

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ melodรญa

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,770 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.