Copy Citation
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
ser·e·nade
ˌser-ə-ˈnād 
1
a
: a complimentary vocal or instrumental performance
especially
: one given outdoors at night for a woman being courted
b
: a work so performed
2
: an instrumental composition in several movements, written for a small ensemble, and midway between the suite and the symphony in style
serenaded; serenading
: to play a serenade
: to perform a serenade in honor of
serenader
noun
Example Sentences
Verb
He serenaded her from the garden below her window.
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Stevens, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2022
Alec Baldwin is helping his wife Hilaria ring in her 39th birthday with a sweet serenade.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 6 Jan. 2023
Las Mañanitas, the traditional serenade of Our Lady of Guadalupe (in English and Spanish).
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 9 Dec. 2022
After a hectic holiday season, the new year is the perfect time to enjoy a little peace with Norah's soothing serenade.
—Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living, 22 Dec. 2022
During a Rolling Stone interview, Gomez was quick to shut down an inquiry about Bieber's 2015 musical serenade.
—Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 28 Sep. 2022
Al Roker was brought to tears on Monday, as some very special Christmas carolers stopped by his New York City abode for a surprise serenade.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 14 Dec. 2022
Legend has it that John F. Kennedy was gifted that model by Marilyn Monroe the night of her infamous birthday serenade.
—New York Times, 7 Nov. 2022
On his 100th birthday this past July, Tucker received letters of congratulations from five of the six living U.S. presidents and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, plus a personal serenade from country music legend Dolly Parton.
—Gretchen Cuda Kroen, cleveland, 17 Sep. 2022
Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Mar. 2023
Before dessert was served, a band outfitted in striped La Ligne sweaters took the stage to serenade guests with a few French tunes.
—Eliseé Browchuk, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2023
As per tradition for the Lifetime Achievement honorees, fans can anticipate seeing some of today’s biggest stars serenade Manuelle with his own hits at Premio Lo Nuestro.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 25 Jan. 2023
On Inspiration4, the Earth-orbiting SpaceX mission, one astronaut brought his ukulele to serenade his teammates in the capsule.
—Ben Guarino, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2023
As the procession passed, each group that noticed her stopped to serenade her and take photos.
—Jack Nicas, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2022
While live musicians serenade you with some of the Eastern world’s greatest melodies, a private Four Seasons chef and culinary team will prepare a decadent menu of global delights and authentic Egyptian drinks custom-designed to your preferences.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 1 Aug. 2022
The 40-ton males waiting in the waters know exactly what's on the ladies' mind and serenade them , repeating a 10- to 20-minute song for hours.
—Eliza Strickland, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2010
Gospel choirs serenade them with yuletide favorites, enhancing the few hours of holiday joy.
—Dallas News, 25 Dec. 2022
See More
Noun
Joyce DiDonato, the American opera singer, offered a serenade.
—Matt Stevens, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2022
Alec Baldwin is helping his wife Hilaria ring in her 39th birthday with a sweet serenade.
—Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 6 Jan. 2023
Las Mañanitas, the traditional serenade of Our Lady of Guadalupe (in English and Spanish).
—Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 9 Dec. 2022
After a hectic holiday season, the new year is the perfect time to enjoy a little peace with Norah's soothing serenade.
—Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living, 22 Dec. 2022
During a Rolling Stone interview, Gomez was quick to shut down an inquiry about Bieber's 2015 musical serenade.
—Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 28 Sep. 2022
Al Roker was brought to tears on Monday, as some very special Christmas carolers stopped by his New York City abode for a surprise serenade.
—Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 14 Dec. 2022
Legend has it that John F. Kennedy was gifted that model by Marilyn Monroe the night of her infamous birthday serenade.
—New York Times, 7 Nov. 2022
On his 100th birthday this past July, Tucker received letters of congratulations from five of the six living U.S. presidents and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, plus a personal serenade from country music legend Dolly Parton.
—Gretchen Cuda Kroen, cleveland, 17 Sep. 2022
Verb
Monroe famously wore the dress in to serenade John F. Kennedy for his 45th birthday at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962.
—Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 12 Mar. 2023
Before dessert was served, a band outfitted in striped La Ligne sweaters took the stage to serenade guests with a few French tunes.
—Eliseé Browchuk, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2023
As per tradition for the Lifetime Achievement honorees, fans can anticipate seeing some of today’s biggest stars serenade Manuelle with his own hits at Premio Lo Nuestro.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 25 Jan. 2023
On Inspiration4, the Earth-orbiting SpaceX mission, one astronaut brought his ukulele to serenade his teammates in the capsule.
—Ben Guarino, Washington Post, 9 Jan. 2023
As the procession passed, each group that noticed her stopped to serenade her and take photos.
—Jack Nicas, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2022
While live musicians serenade you with some of the Eastern world’s greatest melodies, a private Four Seasons chef and culinary team will prepare a decadent menu of global delights and authentic Egyptian drinks custom-designed to your preferences.
—Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 1 Aug. 2022
The 40-ton males waiting in the waters know exactly what's on the ladies' mind and serenade them , repeating a 10- to 20-minute song for hours.
—Eliza Strickland, Discover Magazine, 26 Mar. 2010
Gospel choirs serenade them with yuletide favorites, enhancing the few hours of holiday joy.
—Dallas News, 25 Dec. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'serenade.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
French sérénade, from Italian serenata, from sereno clear, calm (of weather), from Latin serenus serene
First Known Use
Noun
1649, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1668, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Dictionary Entries Near serenade
Cite this Entry
“Serenade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serenade. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.
Kids Definition
serenade
1 of 2 noun
ser·e·nade
ˌser-ə-ˈnād
: music as sung or played outdoors at night for a woman
serenade
2 of 2 verb
serenaded; serenading
: to entertain with or perform a serenade
serenader
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on serenade
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for serenade
Nglish: Translation of serenade for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about serenade
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Name That Flower
Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
Take the quiz
-
Are You Feeling Lucky?
A charming quiz about fortunate and unfortunate w...
Take the quiz
-
True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share