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

The competition format, and thematic focus of each episode, meant that early shows were often organized around musical categories (ballads, duets, love songs) or occasionally around the catalog of individual artists (Lady Gaga, Britney Spears). —Alan Light, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2025

This week, Megan Moroney offers up valuable wisdom enveloped in a lilting ballad, while Maddie Lenhart sings of longing for a carefree night of throwing romantic caution to the wind. —Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025

Diane Warren has written power ballads for everyone from Cher to Celine, but her real passion project might just be the four-legged residents of her Malibu sanctuary. —Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025

Because in those days, a ballad was basically the advertisement for an LP. —Chris Willman, Variety, 23 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