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
Examples of serenade in a Sentence
Verb
He serenaded her from the garden below her window.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
There are some evenings in June when there are too many gondolas, too many lanterns, too many serenades in front of the hotels.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2025
ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
As stars like comedian Trevor Noah, Blackpink's Jisoo, and F1 driver Charles Leclerc shared their favorite Pokémon in honor of their 30th anniversary, Lady Gaga paid homage to the adorable pink character by serenading a delighted Jigglypuff with its lullaby.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serenade
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Noun
Across from the San Francisco Giants’ home base of Oracle Park, the audience swayed to British singer-songwriter Oliva Dean’s R&B-infused serenades at The One Party by Uber at Pier 48.
—Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026
There are some evenings in June when there are too many gondolas, too many lanterns, too many serenades in front of the hotels.
—Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2025
Verb
Barbara Lulu, a Lagos resident, who got serenaded by Clayrocksu and her partner, was going about her day stressed until the rock team showed up.
—ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026
As stars like comedian Trevor Noah, Blackpink's Jisoo, and F1 driver Charles Leclerc shared their favorite Pokémon in honor of their 30th anniversary, Lady Gaga paid homage to the adorable pink character by serenading a delighted Jigglypuff with its lullaby.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serenade
Cite this Entry
“Serenade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serenade. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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