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 ballad also aligns with the perspective of Jessie’s (Joan Cusack) abandonment and eventual joining of Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz’s (Tim Allen) crew of toys that once belonged to Andy and now live with Bonnie. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 9 June 2026

His ballads of rainy English angst went over big in the land of sun and surf. —Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 8 June 2026

Many argue that true crime originated in folk murder ballads, popularized in the 1500s. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 June 2026

The ballad was inspired by Cusack's character in the franchise, the cowgirl rag doll Jessie. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 7 June 2026

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