SINCE 1828
roundelay
noun
roun·de·lay
| \ ˈrau̇n-də-ˌlā
\
\
Definition of roundelay
1
: a simple song with a refrain
2
: a poem with a refrain recurring frequently or at fixed intervals as in a rondel
Examples of roundelay in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Institutional stability is not reliably built on what is essentially a single primary funding source, even if the fiscal roundelay makes the dollar go a bit further. — Christopher Knight, latimes.com, "Grafton Tyler Brown's California scenes at Pasadena museum's final show," 30 June 2018 The roundelay of Broadway revivals comes around again to this Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical, directed by Jack O’Brien and choreographed by Justin Peck. — Alexis Soloski, New York Times, "10 Plays and Musicals to Go to in NYC This Weekend," 5 Apr. 2018 Since Sundance 2017, it's been a nonstop roundelay of lunches, dinners, cocktails and awards — for the film, Timothee Chalamet and James Ivory — that's fulfilling and brings my Oscar experience full circle. — Howard Rosenman, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Call Me by Your Name' Producer Howard Rosenman: My Four Decades of Oscar Parties (Guest Column)," 2 Mar. 2018 Literate and observant, The Moderns (written and directed by Marcela Matta and Mauro Sarser) is a dense romantic roundelay about the challenges of balancing the pressures of work and life in contemporary urban society. — Ben Sachs, Chicago Reader, "Film / Year in Review Ben Sachs’s favorite films of 2017," 20 Dec. 2017 The script takes the form of a classic roundelay, but instead of romantic shenanigans the comic intrigue turns on social, financial, and political concerns. — The New Yorker, "The Roundabout," 18 May 2017 The film’s story consists, in large part, of the conflict that Ana faces between squiring Christian through his urgent roundelay of business functions and pushing her own editorial career ahead. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, "“Fifty Shades Darker”: Not Even the Sex Has Personality," 9 Feb. 2017 The classic noir triangle at the novel’s heart opens up to introduce a roundelay of characters, most of whom get their Rosebud moment. — New York Times, "9 New Books We Recommend This Week," 22 June 2017 The fanciful twists of this romantic roundelay by the Argentinean director Matías Piñeiro keep the Shakespearean promise of the title. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, "Hermia & Helena," 29 May 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'roundelay.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on roundelay
What made you want to look up roundelay? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
What did you just call me?! A Quiz
-
- If a member of the audience describes your speech as bombastic, does that person mean it is:
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Share roundelay
Resources for roundelay