troubadour

[ troo-buh-dawr, -dohr, -door ]

noun

1. one of a class of medieval lyric poets who flourished principally in southern France from the 11th to 13th centuries, and wrote songs and poems of a complex metrical form in langue d'oc, chiefly on themes of courtly love. Compare trouvère.
2. any wandering singer or minstrel.

troubadour

/ ˈtruːbəˌdʊə /

noun

1. any of a class of lyric poets who flourished principally in Provence and N Italy from the 11th to the 13th centuries, writing chiefly on courtly love in complex metric form
2. a singer

Word History and Origins

Origin of troubadour¹

First recorded in 1720–30; from French, from Provençal trobador, equivalent to trob(ar) “to find, compose” ( trover ) + -ador (from Latin -ātor -ator

Word History and Origins

Origin of troubadour¹

C18: from French, from Old Provençal trobador , from trobar to write verses, perhaps ultimately from Latin tropus trope

Example Sentences

Champagne is uncorked, cigars are lit and the troubadours spill out of the house.

From Washington Post

More lighthearted than Game of Thrones—there’s a singing troubadour as comic sidekick in many scenes—The Witcher got mixed reviews, but each episode gets stronger as the season progresses, and ultimately satisfies the fantasy itch.

From Time

This new musical reaffirms their status as troubadours of the pandemic, a distinction underlined last fall, when their “Keep Going Song” went viral on YouTube.

From Washington Post

He is also the author of Mellencamp: American Troubadour (forthcoming, University Press of Kentucky).

From The Daily Beast

Llewyn Davis is a troubadour and vagabond, one who happens to be in grief.

From The Daily Beast

The band is now touring Britain, after playing at the Troubadour in London and releasing their second CD.

From The Daily Beast

But he had neither the gentle troubadour's art, as the knights of Provence, nor the deeper lore of the Spaniard.

From Project Gutenberg

This ragged, beard-begrown troubadour, the graceful, elegant Caillette of Francis' court?

From Project Gutenberg

Manrico a very robust type of Troubadour—but oughtn't a Troubadour to carry about a guitar, or a lute, or something?

From Project Gutenberg

It is fortunate for you, sir, that the Duchess Joan wears her hair short, like a Northman or a bantling troubadour.

From Project Gutenberg

But he sees this Troubadour has put his poor old nose out of joint for him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crooner
• minstrel
• songwriter