ditty

noun

ˈdi-tē How to pronounce ditty (audio)
Definition of dittynext
as in ballad
a short musical composition for the human voice often with instrumental accompaniment sung a little ditty in a minor key

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of ditty All the more reason to keep this bouncy ditty on loop. — Adelle Platon, VIBE.com, 27 Apr. 2026 The vocal tracks are broken up by instrumental ditties whose cutesiness is almost creepier. — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 23 Apr. 2026 The songs, by Randy Newman, are simple but charming little ditties, particularly the ensemble numbers where this makeshift band of misfits express their devotion to one another. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026 To announce the enrollment period, Mamdani released a short-form video on social media with Cardi B launching a 2-K jingle competition, where people can write an original 15 to 30-second ditty urging parents to apply. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ditty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ditty
  1. ballad
  2. song
  3. lyric
  4. jingle
  5. hymn
  6. anthem
Noun
  • The bouncy salsa tunes — as well as the melodic ballads — are still playing in my internal playlist.
    — George Diaz, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • An old-soul, Jiménez’s music is rooted in Latin ballads backed by real-life and personal storytelling.
    — Natalia Cano, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of ballad
Noun
  • The Jamaican musical style grew from an encounter between African and European traditions, and its banjos, guitars, hand percussion, and rumba boxes accompanied dancing, drinking, storytelling, and songs about life’s daily irritations.
    — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Per a bio, the sisters wrote hundreds of songs together and performed more than 1,000 concerts around North America and in Norway.
    — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of song
Noun
  • This is a musical in a very mainstream pop mode of supple but almost juvenile high voices singing banal lyrics to catchy melodies with rather bombastic production.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Even beyond lyrics, the sheer tone of a voice can communicate emotion so differently.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of lyric
Noun
  • Each station has a distinct jingle to mark the start of its Mensajero Rural program, and LU20’s begins with a sunny piano melody.
    — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Eventually, her friend—local musician and record producer Jay Oliver—noticed her talent and gave her a foot in the door by recording advertising jingles for the likes of McDonald’s and Toyota.
    — Selena Fragassi, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of jingle
Noun
  • Nothing more than a reminder that the quotidian world around us can be a hymn all by itself.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2026
  • At the conclusion of an English-language service interspersed with hymns in Arabic, the priest introduced Salazar, who stood up in the front row, smiling and waving.
    — Daniel Castro, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of hymn
Noun
  • Related Stories Olivia Rodrigo has become one of music’s most iconic voices, and turns heartbreak and growing pains into generational anthems.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Two weeks after OutKick first asked why the teams were leaving the floor for the anthem, the WNBA, NBA and both teams’ front offices still have not answered our questions.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of anthem

Browse Nearby Words

dittos
ditty
ditty bag
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Cite this Entry

“Ditty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ditty. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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