serenade
- 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.
- serenata(def 2).
- to entertain with or perform a serenade.
Origin of serenade
Related Words for serenading
serenade, chant, warble, whistle, shout, croon, hum, wait, intone, sue, invite, pursue, seek, please, entice, praise, woo, charm, solicit, proposeExamples from the Web for serenading
Historical Examples of serenading
Show me the way to this breakfast that you've been serenading about.
The Market-PlaceHarold Frederic
Eddy, isn't that the serenading fellow who goes on singing till they hang him?
The Long RollMary Johnston
The seniors had arrived and were serenading the Major and his family.
Molly Brown's Senior DaysNell Speed
Do you suppose that he was serenading Pina, the serving-woman, or Ortensia her mistress?'
StradellaF(rancis) Marion Crawford
But they were used to this serenading music, and did not regard it.
The Boy HuntersCaptain Mayne Reid
serenade
- 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
- (tr) to play a serenade for (someone)
- (intr) to play a serenade
Word Origin for serenade
Word Origin and History for serenading
serenade
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.
serenade
1660s, from serenade (n.). Related: Serenaded; serenading.