adjective
-
having a tune that is pleasant to the ear
-
of or relating to melody; melodic
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of melodious
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word melōdiōsus. See melody, -ous
Explanation
Use the adjective melodious to describe something that sounds like music, like a babbling brook or a little boy's soft humming. Anything that makes a pleasant, tuneful sound can be called melodious, which makes sense when you spot the word melody in melodious. Both have a root in common, the Greek word meloidia, which means "singing, or a tune for lyric poetry." It, in turn, comes from melos, or "song."
Vocabulary lists containing melodious
Excerpt from "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Lend Me Your Ears: Sound Words
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 8
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Melodious Motors Relative History An anonymous columnist* of the history-loving New York Times had fun last week standing Clio on her head.
From Time Magazine Archive
Melodious as were their songs, the rhythms betrayed the African origin.
From The History of Cuba, vol. 2 by Johnson, Willis Fletcher
The nights are full of music, Melodious Teuton troops Beguile us, calmly smoking, On balconies and stoops.
From Point Lace and Diamonds by Day, Francis
Melodious Italian voices exclaimed and questioned and replied, mingling with cries in Yiddish and East Side English.
From The Rich Little Poor Boy by Gates, Eleanor
Fountains! and ye that warble as you flow Melodious Murmurs, warbling tune his Praise.
From The Art of English Poetry (1708) by Bysshe, Edward
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
