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

Whether couples are dancing to a silky smooth R&B ballad or an upbeat groove, the rhythm continues on with each dance move of the dance. —Alexa Stone updated October 21, Kansas City Star, 21 Oct. 2025

Paired against Carolina Rodriguez for Team Niall’s final Battle, Kirbi and Carolina delivered a soaring and intimate take on Daigle’s Grammy-winning ballad. —Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 21 Oct. 2025

There were stabs at horny lounge jazz, a melodramatic Latin guitar ballad, even a folksy blues number. —Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2025

The ballad reflects on a chance meeting with an ex after a breakup and serves as a rare apology from the singer, expressing regret for a relationship that ended too soon. —Bryan West, Nashville Tennessean, 17 Oct. 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