serenade

1 of 2

noun

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

serenade

2 of 2

verb

serenaded; serenading

intransitive verb

: to play a serenade

transitive verb

: to perform a serenade in honor of

serenader noun

Examples of serenade in a Sentence

Verb

He serenaded her from the garden below her window.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

And for those more interested in Mulaney’s musical stylings, the MLB graciously posted the below clip of his seventh inning stretch serenade. —Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2025

Write a love letter, send flowers, or serenade that special person. —Lisa Stardust, Refinery29, 19 Sep. 2025

Verb

Traversing quaint New York street corners and rooftops, Vincent serenades his girl with playful bars about love, commitment and the important building blocks of a good relationship. —Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2025

Allynne and Notaro shared a kiss on a beachside road at dusk, with a brass band serenading them off to the side of the frame. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025

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

Rhymes for serenade

• accolade
• ambuscade
• antegrade
• balustrade
• barricade
• cannonade
• cavalcade
• centigrade
• chambermaid
• colonnade
• countertrade
• disobeyed

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