ballad

noun

bal·​lad ˈba-ləd 

1

a

: a narrative composition in rhythmic verse suitable for singing

a ballad about King Arthur

b

: an art song accompanying a traditional ballad

2

: a simple song : air

3

: a popular song

especially : a slow romantic or sentimental song

a ballad they danced to at their wedding reception

balladic

bə-ˈla-dik 

ba-

adjective

Synonyms

• song
• lyric
• hymn
• anthem
• vocal
• lullaby

Examples of ballad in a Sentence

a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness

Recent Examples on the Web

Billy Ray Cyrus is head over heels for Elizabeth Hurley, with the country star praising his famous girlfriend in a sweet comment and revealing which classic ballad is their special couple’s song. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 2 July 2025

Santana is currently criss-crossing the United States for his Oneness Tour 2025, named after a 1979 solo live album consisting mostly of instrumental guitar ballads. —Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

The Grammy winner suffered a scary prop snafu at NRG Stadium in her hometown of Houston on Saturday while belting out a ballad for her latest Cowboy Car concert. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 29 June 2025

Popularized by the late Roberta Flack, this cooing ballad can sound plodding and endless with the wrong arrangement. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English balad, balade, ballade, balett "poem or song in stanza form, poem or stanza in rhyme royal or a similar form," borrowed from Middle French balade, going back to Old French barade, balade "song to be danced to, short poem to be sung," borrowed from Old Occitan ballada, from ballar "to dance" (going back to Late Latin ballāre) + -ada -ade — more at ball entry 3

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing ballad

• ballad stanza

Rhymes for ballad

• pallid
• salad
• valid

Kids Definition

ballad

noun

bal·​lad ˈbal-əd 

1

: a poem that tells a story of adventure, of romance, or of a hero, that is suitable for singing, and that usually has stanzas of four lines with a rhyme on the second and fourth lines

2

: a simple song

3

: a usually slow or sentimental popular song