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

• ditty
• jingle
• lay
• lyric
• song
• vocal

Examples of ballad in a Sentence

a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness

Recent Examples on the Web

Anyone who has spent time online recently has likely come across Ordinary, the ballad by Alex Warren that has been soundtracking romantic videos and emotional content everywhere. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025

In a poll published Friday (April 18) on Billboard, music fans chose the alt-pop icon’s gorgeous new ballad as their favorite new release of the past week. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 20 Apr. 2025

Del Rey, 39, recounted the unique inspiration for the ethereal ballad, which thematically uses the titular bluebird as a metaphor for self-healing. —Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 19 Apr. 2025

This week, Lana Del Rey yearns for freedom on her latest ballad, Addison Rae invites listeners into her synth-pop fantasy, and JID puts the bar work in on his latest release. —Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 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