Ballad Meaning
/ˈbæləd/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; especially, a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas.
nounA slow romantic song.
Sentence Examples
Evidently, no one can resist reading the ballad "Chavayn" by Olyk Ipay.
This ballad is thirty verses long.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The folk singer performed a sad ____ about lost love.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The singer performed a slow and beautiful ____ about a lost love.
Word Origin & History
From French ballade, from Old Occitan ballada (“poem for a dance”), from Late Latin ballare. Doublet of balada and ballade.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Of all varieties of poetry, the Ballad, in the form which it affects among us, in distinction to other countries, is, perhaps, one of the most attractive."
— 1882, John Ashton, “Origin of Ballads”, in John Skelton, A Ballade of the Scottysshe Kynge. […], London: Elliot Stock, […], →OCLC, page 1:
"A wandering minstrel I — / A thing of shreds and patches, / Of ballads, songs and snatches, / And dreamy lullaby!"
— 1885, Gilbert and Sullivan, The Mikado, act 1:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The folk singer performed a sad ____ about lost love.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The singer performed a slow and beautiful ____ about a lost love.