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

Major returned afterward for a solo serenade to close his fourth straight win. — Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 18 Aug. 2026

The visit opened with a photocall at a Beijing courtyard centered on a maple tree more than a 100 years old, where Thomas, Theron and Damon surprised Nolan with a birthday cake and led a serenade for the director. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

Few things are as romantic as a sip of amber beside a crackling sagebrush fire while the coyotes serenade the moon. — Ron Spomer, Outdoor Life, 19 Aug. 2026

Kidman takes a seat at the bar as Sivan serenades her from the stage. — Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026

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