tra-la

[ trah-lah ]

noun

1. nonsense syllables sung as a refrain, expressing gaiety.

tra-la

/ ˌtrɑːˈlɑː; ˌtrɑːlɑːˈlɑː /

noun

1. a set of nonsensical syllables used in humming music, esp for a melody or refrain

Word History and Origins

Origin of tra-la¹

First recorded in 1815–25

Example Sentences

"Tra-la, tra-la-la-la-la," chirped he, softly and contentedly.

From Project Gutenberg

It'll be tra-la-la for yours, if last night's a fair sample uh what yuh expect to do with the blue roan.

From Project Gutenberg

Tra-la-la-la-la-la—he could hear a woman's voice singing scales inside, the same thing over and over again.

From Project Gutenberg

And off he goes to supper, singing “Tra-la-la, lambkins, we must live!”

From Project Gutenberg

The flowers that bloom in the spring, tra la,” Eleanor returned saucily, “have nothing to do with the case.

From Project Gutenberg