troubadour

American  

[troo-buh-dawr, -dohr, -door] / ˈtru bəˌdɔr, -ˌdoʊr, -ˌdʊər /

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.

2. any wandering singer or minstrel.

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troubadour British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of troubadour

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

Explanation

When we think of a troubadour what usually comes to mind is a lovestruck fellow serenading his sweetheart and hoping she'll appear on her balcony. The word troubadour comes from Provence in southern France, where trobar (related to modern French trouver) means "find, invent, compose in verse." The art of serenading one's love comes from the French tradition of courtly love that began in the Middle Ages. Things have changed, though, since the days of the wandering minstrel or jongleur. Our wooing is more private, our entertainment more public, and our terminology has become more practical: We now call our troubadours "singer-songwriters" or "recording artists."

Example Sentences

Spotify wants to give historic venues such as the Troubadour and the Paramount — and the independent musicians who play there — a boost.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

She celebrated the milestone with a lively anniversary concert in August at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, featuring celebrity guests and moments of reflection.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

At the Troubadour, where she’ll follow Tuesday’s sold-out concert with an encore appearance Friday night, Spiro describes singing as a life calling.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

He said the Troubadour Trust used 50p of every ticket sold at a Troubadour venue to support local communities via workshops, ticket schemes for schools and charities.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

She was particularly active as a poet about 1824-35, when appeared the works whose titles—The Improvisatore, The Troubadour, The Golden Violet—suggested parodies to Thackeray.

From A History of Nineteenth Century Literature (1780-1895) by Saintsbury, George

Related Words

• crooner
• minstrel
• songwriter