ballad
BA-luhd
Ballad (noun) means a simple narrative song or poem, often telling a romantic or dramatic story, typically slow and sentimental. Example: “The band closed the concert with a heartfelt ballad about lost love.”
noun
1
A simple narrative song or poem, often telling a romantic or dramatic story, typically slow and sentimental.
"He was playing the guitar and singing a ballad to his girlfriend while she was playing the drums."
"On Friday nights, the roller rink had a time-block called "Lovers' Lap" when they played nothing but ballads on the overhead speakers."
"The band closed the concert with a heartfelt ballad about lost love."
"Folk ballads often recount old legends passed down through generations."
How to use ballad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slow, emotional song or poem that tells a story.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
power ballad
love ballad
sing a ballad
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Word forms
- Plural
- ballads
- Third person singular
- ballads
- Past tense
- balladed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The band closed the concert with a heartfelt _____ about lost love.
Etymology
From Old French ballade, originally meaning "a poem meant for dancing," from Late Latin ballare, "to dance."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “ballad” mean?
The word “ballad” means a simple narrative song or poem, often telling a romantic or dramatic story, typically slow and sentimental. In plain terms, a slow, emotional song or poem that tells a story.
How do you pronounce “ballad”?
“Ballad” is pronounced BA-luhd (/ˈbæləd/ in IPA).
How do you use “ballad” in a sentence?
Here is “ballad” used in a sentence: “The band closed the concert with a heartfelt ballad about lost love.”
What part of speech is “ballad”?
“Ballad” is a noun.
Where does the word “ballad” come from?
The word “ballad” comes from Late Latin. From Old French ballade, originally meaning "a poem meant for dancing," from Late Latin ballare, "to dance.".
Is “ballad” a common word?
“Ballad” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
