noun
ballad
BA-luhd
noun
1
A simple narrative song or poem, often telling a romantic or dramatic story, typically slow and sentimental.
"The band closed the concert with a heartfelt ballad about lost love."
"Folk ballads often recount old legends passed down through generations."
How to Use Ballad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slow, emotional song or poem that tells a story.
Common pairings
power ballad
love ballad
sing a ballad
Word Forms
balladed past tense, ballads plural, ballads singular
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The band closed the concert with a heartfelt _____ about lost love.
Etymology
From Old French ballade, originally meaning "a poem meant for dancing," from Late Latin ballare, "to dance."