A ballad is a long song or poem which tells a story in simple language.
...an eighteenth century ballad about some lost children called the Babes in theWood.
2. countable noun
A ballad is a slow, romantic, popular song.
'You Don't Know Paris' is one of the most beautiful ballads that he ever wrote.
Synonyms: song, saga, ditty, folk song More Synonyms of ballad
ballad in British English
(ˈbæləd)
noun
1.
a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
2.
a narrative poem in short stanzas of popular origin, originally sung to a repeated tune
3.
a slow sentimental song, esp a pop song
Word origin
C15: from Old French balade, from Old Provençal balada song accompanying a dance, from balar to dance, from Late Latin ballāre; see ball2
ballad in American English
(ˈbæləd)
noun
1.
a romantic or sentimental song with the same melody for each stanza
2.
a song or poem that tells a story in short stanzas and simple words, with repetition, refrain, etc.: most old ballads are of unknown authorship and have been handed down orally in more than one version
3.
a slow, sentimental popular song, esp. a love song
Word origin
ME balad < OFr ballade, dancing song < OProv ballada, (poem for a) dance < balar, to dance < LL ballare: see ball2
Examples of 'ballad' in a sentence
ballad
She can also bring a good piano ballad.
The Sun (2016)
Bonus points if you can remember the name of their power ballad wedding song.
The Sun (2015)
This dry and dreary ballad is inexplicably one of the favourites to win.
The Sun (2010)
Although the movie feels the need to soundtrack her demise with emotional pop ballads just to ensure tears.
The Sun (2012)
She joined a backing band to perform a pop ballad that was one of the anthems of the orange revolution.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
This raw piano ballad explains why.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Geek triumphs to uplifting pop ballad.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The Italian tenor performs arias and romantic ballads.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Over a karaoke backing, they sing a straight ballad to close the first act.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Romantic ballad built around a chiming, cyclical guitar riff.
The Sun (2009)
This lead single shows off her knack for beautiful piano ballads and her enchanting, otherworldly voice.
The Sun (2013)
It's like a big pop ballad.
The Sun (2013)
But the world of the great ballads is one that can belong to anyone, and is worth seeking out.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He was heard singing Celtic ballads.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It's ticking a lot of power ballad boxes although there are not enough crash guitar chords for my liking and no key change.
The Sun (2013)
I won't just stand there and sing a ballad.
The Sun (2012)
A huge, heartfelt pop ballad that builds to something of mighty proportions.
The Sun (2016)
And many of the melodies lack distinction, coming across as mix of mushy pop ballads that go in one ear and out the other.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They listened to speeches, toasted the security of Russia and sang sentimental ballads.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Marvel at their varied repertoire, including punk songs, ballads and classical numbers.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Now if only they could ditch the hideous pop ballads, we'd really be getting somewhere.
The Sun (2012)
For those on the mic, it's important to keep to the rhythm as you belt out those power ballads.
The Sun (2008)
I'd like to sing a sad ballad about all this - sing a song about my unhappiness and frustration.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I was moving away from the piano ballads that I was very attached to.
The Sun (2015)
In other languages
ballad
British English: ballad NOUN
A ballad is a long song or poem which tells a story in simple language.
...an eighteenth century ballad about some lost children called the Babes in the Wood.
American English: ballad
Brazilian Portuguese: balada
Chinese: 叙事歌
European Spanish: balada
French: ballade
German: Ballade
Italian: ballata
Japanese: 詩楽曲
Korean: 발라드
European Portuguese: balada
Latin American Spanish: balada
All related terms of 'ballad'
bush ballad
an old Australian bush poem in a ballad metre dealing with aspects of life and characters in the bush
ballad metre
the metre of a ballad stanza
ballad opera
an opera consisting of popular tunes to which appropriate words have been set, interspersed with spoken dialogue
ballad stanza
a four-line stanza , often used in ballads , in which the second and fourth lines rhyme and have three stresses each and the first and third lines are unrhymed and have four stresses each
bothy ballad
a folk song, esp one from the farming community of NE Scotland
broadside ballad
the entire side of a vessel, from stem to stern and from waterline to rail