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

The pair tied the knot in April 2023 in a wedding officiated by Kim Kardashian, and they were serenaded by country superstar Shania Twain. —Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025

The Stretford End serenaded him with comparisons to Schmeichel, who was forced to walk back his scepticism on the basis of one game. —Mark Critchley, New York Times, 17 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