Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for melody

melody

1

[mel-uh-dee]

noun

plural

melodies 
  1. musical sounds in agreeable succession or arrangement.

  2. Music.

    1. the succession of single tones in musical compositions, as distinguished from harmony and rhythm.

    2. the principal part in a harmonic composition; the air.

    3. a rhythmical succession of single tones producing a distinct musical phrase or idea.

    Synonyms: theme, descant, song, tune
  3. a poem suitable for singing.

  4. intonation, as of a segment of connected speech.



Melody

2

[mel-uh-dee]

noun

  1. a female given name.

melody

/ ˈmɛlədɪ /

noun

  1. music

    1. a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence; tune

    2. the horizontally represented aspect of the structure of a piece of music Compare harmony

  2. sounds that are pleasant because of tone or arrangement, esp words of poetry

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • melodyless adjective
  • undermelody noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of melody1

1250–1300; Middle English melodie from Medieval Latin melōdia from Greek melōidía “(choral) singing,” equivalent to mel- ( melic ) + -ōid- ( ode ) + -ia -y 3
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of melody1

C13: from Old French, from Late Latin melōdia, from Greek melōidia singing, from melos song + -ōidia, from aoidein to sing
Discover More

Synonym Study

See harmony.
Discover More

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.

The synthesizers have all the delicacy of a bulldozer, and Swift’s voice is layered to the point where her gummy melodies also land with terrific force.

“The Fate of Ophelia,” a song about powerlessness and heartbreak, is unassuming and blandly catchy with a melody whose shape vaguely resembles Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.”

This, it’s a riff, and then it’s a hooky riff with a cool melody over it.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The combat is real and lyrical, like a melody where each move is a note that must land in the right spot to pull off a win.

Read more on Salon

His lively melodies about love, hope and despair - embellished with catchy riffs - brought a breath of fresh air to an otherwise tense social milieu.

Read more on BBC

Advertisement

Related Words

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


melodramatizemeloid