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

Other Word Forms

• melodyless adjective
• undermelody noun

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

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

Synonym Study

See harmony.

Example Sentences

An elegiac hymn to the dead end of hometown life, the song captures Currie’s ability to wrap melancholy lyrics in a catchy melody.

From Los Angeles Times

In the video shared by TMZ, Hill can be heard humming the same melody.

From Salon

Carl says both songs are "amazing pop songs with great melodies" and the film also allows fans to "visualise their new favourite band".

From BBC

Newly christened, she became known for scat singing, a vocal style that originated with ragtime - which enabled her to improvise melodies using her voice as an instrument.

From BBC

"When I look back at that song, Black Sabbath, I think, how did I even begin to think of a melody like that?"

From BBC

Related Words

• chant 
• lyric 
• music 
• refrain 
• theme