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
P. B. Shelley
P. B. Shelley2
: 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
Pat Cahill melodic
mə-ˈlä-dik
adjective melodically
mə-ˈlä-di-k(ə-)lē
adverb 
Synonyms
- air
- lay
- song
- strain
- tune
- warble
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Penned by Becerra and produced by Nico Cotton, the artist told Billboard she was inspired by the pioneers of reggaetón to bring this melody to life. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 9 Sep. 2022 Remnants of one melody on the record began while playing the piano during a stay at his in-laws’ house in Kansas City. Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 Somewhere, a little Black girl’s beads clicked and clacked with magic and melody. Jeneé Osterheldt, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2022 An early breakthrough came from listening to a traditional singer of the Serer people, whose plaintive melody reminded Catta of a Renaissance motet. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 Experiencing art, whether through melody or oil paint, elicits in us a range of emotions. Liz Tormes, Scientific American, 26 Aug. 2022 The vocal melody had an Anglo-Celtic folk influence as well, although the form was freer. San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 Wilde tells Variety, in this week’s cover story, that Styles offered to write the melody. Elizabeth Wagmeister, Variety, 24 Aug. 2022 The melody of our galactic center sounds lovely, peaceful. Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2022 See More
Griselda Flores, Billboard, 9 Sep. 2022 Remnants of one melody on the record began while playing the piano during a stay at his in-laws’ house in Kansas City. Britt Julious, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 Somewhere, a little Black girl’s beads clicked and clacked with magic and melody. Jeneé Osterheldt, BostonGlobe.com, 3 Sep. 2022 An early breakthrough came from listening to a traditional singer of the Serer people, whose plaintive melody reminded Catta of a Renaissance motet. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022 Experiencing art, whether through melody or oil paint, elicits in us a range of emotions. Liz Tormes, Scientific American, 26 Aug. 2022 The vocal melody had an Anglo-Celtic folk influence as well, although the form was freer. San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 Wilde tells Variety, in this week’s cover story, that Styles offered to write the melody. Elizabeth Wagmeister, Variety, 24 Aug. 2022 The melody of our galactic center sounds lovely, peaceful. Marina Koren, The Atlantic, 23 Aug. 2022 See More 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 ˈme-lə-dē
plural melodies
1
: pleasing arrangement of sounds
2
: a series of musical notes or tones arranged in a definite pattern of pitch and rhythm
3
: the main part in a musical composition
melodies
noun
as in songs
a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect this week, we'll learn to play a more complicated melody on the saxophone Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- songs
- tunes
- hymns
- lyrics
- warbles
- rhythms
- ballads
- airs
- strains
- cadences
- lays
- ditties
- meters
- descants
- madrigals
- discants
- measures