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serenade

[ser-uh-neyd]
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noun
  1. a complimentary performance of vocal or instrumental music in the open air at night, as by a lover under the window of his lady.
  2. a piece of music suitable for such performance.
  3. serenata(def 2).
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verb (used with or without object), ser·e·nad·ed, ser·e·nad·ing.
  1. to entertain with or perform a serenade.
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Origin of serenade

1640–50; < French sérénade < Italian serenata; see serenata
Related formsser·e·nad·er, nounun·ser·e·nad·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for serenading

Historical Examples

  • Show me the way to this breakfast that you've been serenading about.

    The Market-Place

    Harold Frederic

  • Eddy, isn't that the serenading fellow who goes on singing till they hang him?

    The Long Roll

    Mary Johnston

  • The seniors had arrived and were serenading the Major and his family.

  • Do you suppose that he was serenading Pina, the serving-woman, or Ortensia her mistress?'

    Stradella

    F(rancis) Marion Crawford

  • But they were used to this serenading music, and did not regard it.

    The Boy Hunters

    Captain Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for serenading

serenade

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

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for serenading

serenade

n.

1640s, "musical performance at night in open air" (especially one given by a lover under the window of his lady), from French sérénade (16c.), from Italian serenata "an evening song," literally "calm sky," from sereno "the open air," noun use of sereno "clear, calm," from Latin serenus "peaceful, calm, serene." Sense influenced by Italian sera "evening," from Latin sera, fem. of serus "late." Meaning "piece of music suitable for a serenade" is attested from 1728.

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serenade

v.

1660s, from serenade (n.). Related: Serenaded; serenading.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper