Melodious Meaning
/məˈləʊdi.əs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjHaving a pleasant melody or sound; tuneful.
Sentence Examples
The Ukrainian language is very melodious.
Certain pieces of music would be more melodious an octave higher.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her singing voice was ____, filling the hall with sweet, clear tones.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The forest was filled with the ____ singing of birds, creating a peaceful and natural soundscape.
Word Origin & History
Inherited from Middle English melodious, from Middle French melodieus, melodieux. By surface analysis, melod(i) + -ous.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Tremulous on the bladed graſs ſhone bright the pearly drops, like an aſſembly of ſparkling ſtars dancing on the plains of the zodiac; vocal was every bending ſpray, every reed was inſpired, each warbling throat ſeemed to emulate the melodious voice of the bird of a thouſand ſongs."
— 1769, Firishta, translated by Alexander Dow, Tales translated from the Persian of Inatulla of Delhi, volume I, Dublin: P. and W. Wilson et al., page iv:
"A lovely crisp exhaust: a feeling of almost unlimited power combined with complete freedom of running: and, to crown it all, a most melodious and wholly American chime whistle—these were my immediate impressions as we stormed rapidly out of Göttingen, intent on winning back some of the lost time."
— 1960 October, P. Ransome-Wallis, “Modern motive power of the German Federal Railway: Part Two”, in Trains Illustrated, page 611:
"Patinkin’s melodious voice is a natural fit for animation, and he breathes just the right type of upper-crust life into Hugh in 22 short minutes."
— 2013 October 13, Erik Adams, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “Lisa’s Wedding” (season six, episode 19; originally aired 3/19/1995)”, in The Onion AV Club:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her singing voice was ____, filling the hall with sweet, clear tones.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The forest was filled with the ____ singing of birds, creating a peaceful and natural soundscape.