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serenade

[ ser-uh-neyd ]
/ ˌsɛr əˈneɪd /
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See synonyms for: serenade / serenaded / serenading / serenader on Thesaurus.com

noun
a complimentary performance of vocal or instrumental music in the open air at night, as by a lover under the window of his lady.
a piece of music suitable for such performance.
verb (used with or without object), ser·e·nad·ed, ser·e·nad·ing.
to entertain with or perform a serenade.
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Origin of serenade

1640–50; <French sérénade<Italian serenata;see serenata

OTHER WORDS FROM serenade

ser·e·nad·er, nounun·ser·e·nad·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use serenade in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for serenade

serenade
/ (ˌsɛrɪˈneɪd) /

noun
a piece of music appropriate to the evening, characteristically played outside the house of a woman
a piece of music indicative or suggestive of this
an extended composition in several movements similar to the modern suite or divertimento
verb
(tr) to play a serenade for (someone)
(intr) to play a serenade
Compare aubade

Derived forms of serenade

serenader, noun

Word Origin for serenade

C17: from French sérénade, from Italian serenata, from sereno peaceful, from Latin serēnus calm; also influenced in meaning by Italian sera evening, from Latin sērus late
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
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