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 of ballad

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

Examples of ballad in a Sentence

a haunting ballad about lost love and loneliness

Recent Examples on the Web

The skittery ballad co-written by Andrew Goldstein (Maroon 5, Katy Perry) and singer-songwriter JXDN is the 29-year-old K-pop star’s first solo effort entirely in English following on the heels of March’s Beam EP, a three-track collaboration with SEVENTEEN bandmate Woozi. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 11 Nov. 2025

The ship was immortalized in a surprise hit folk ballad by Gordon Lightfoot in 1976. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 10 Nov. 2025

The love ballad was notably performed during a wedding scene in the 2018 rom-com Crazy Rich Asians. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025

But in their early years, Jagger and Richards were relatively focused on traditional British songcraft, especially in their ballads. —John Lingan, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 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