melody

noun

mel·​o·​dy ˈme-lə-dē 

plural melodies

1

: a sweet or agreeable succession or arrangement of sounds

… whilst all the winds with melody are ringing.

—Percy Bysshe Shelley

2

: a rhythmic succession of single tones organized as an aesthetic whole

a hummable melody

the piper's fingers play the melody on a pipe called a chanter

—Pat Cahill

melodic

mə-ˈlä-dik 

adjective

melodically

mə-ˈlä-di-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Synonyms of melody

• song
• tune

Examples of melody in a Sentence

He wrote a piece that includes some beautiful melodies.

a composer known for his love of melody

He sang a few old melodies.

Recent Examples on the Web

If each Animal Collective album exists somewhere on a spectrum between honeyed psych-pop melodies and brain-melting abstraction, Geologist’s contributions clearly fortify the latter impulse. —Zach Schonfeld, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026

Produced by Nyal, the track laces Duque’s suave vocals and Hamilton’s sugary tones on sensual and chill Afrobeats melody. —Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 30 Jan. 2026

To refresh, while Song of the Year focuses mainly on the crafting of melodies and lyrics, Record of the Year is all-encompassing, honoring the artists, producers, and engineers behind the track. —Jason Lamphier, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026

As a child, Brittney Boykin had a flair for songwriting, penning melodies in a binder as a hobby. —Deasia Paige, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English melodie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin melodia, from Greek melōidia chanting, music, from melos limb, musical phrase, song (probably akin to Breton mell joint) + aeidein to sing — more at ode

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

melody

noun

mel·​o·​dy ˈmel-əd-ē 

plural melodies

1

: a pleasing succession of sounds

2

: a series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect

3

: the leading part in a musical composition involving harmony