Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense serenades, present participle serenading, past tense, past participle serenaded
1. verb
If one person serenades another, they sing or play a piece of music for them. Traditionally men did this outside the window of the woman they loved.
In the interval a blond boy dressed in white serenaded the company on the flute. [VERB noun]
It happened to be my birthday, and after breakfast I was serenaded by the crew. [VERB noun]
Serenade is also a noun.
The tenor sang his serenade of love. [+ of]
2. countable noun [oft in names]
In classical music, a serenade is a piece in several parts written for a small orchestra.
...Vaughan Williams's Serenade to Music.
Synonyms: song, air, ballad, lay More Synonyms of serenade
serenade in British English
(ˌsɛrɪˈneɪd)
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
verb
4. (transitive)
to play a serenade for (someone)
5. (intransitive)
to play a serenade
Compare aubade
Derived forms
serenader (ˌsereˈnader)
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
serenade in American English
(ˌserəˈneid) (verb-naded, -nading)
noun
1.
a complimentary performance of vocal or instrumental music in the open air at night
2.
a piece of music suitable for such performance
3. "> serenata (sense 2)
transitive verb or intransitive verb
4.
to entertain with or perform a serenade
Derived forms
serenader
noun
Word origin
[1640–50; ‹ F sérénade ‹ It serenata; see serenata]
Examples of 'serenade' in a sentence
serenade
The birthday serenade was a big success.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
On her last two birthdays she was serenaded with poems and songs.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They go round their circle, singing a serenade of welcome to each person in turn.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
I dreamed of a man who would serenade me with songs written just for me.
Christianity Today (2000)
Majestic) The vineyards that this wine comes from are serenaded by classical music from nearby loudspeakers.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Word lists with
serenade
Types of composition
In other languages
serenade
British English: serenade VERB
If one person serenades another, they sing or play a piece of music for them.
In the interval a boy dressed in white serenaded the company on the flute.
American English: serenade
Brazilian Portuguese: fazer serenata para
Chinese: 对...唱歌
European Spanish: dar una serenata a
French: donner la sérénade à
German: ein Ständchen bringen
Italian: fare la serenata a
Japanese: セレナーデを奏でる
Korean: 세레나데를 부르다
European Portuguese: fazer serenata para
Latin American Spanish: dar una serenata a
(noun)
Definition
a piece of music suitable for this
He sang his serenade of love.
Synonyms
song
a voice singing a Spanish song
air
an old Irish air
ballad
one of the most beautiful ballads he ever wrote
lay
Yeats used Comyn's `The Lay of Oisin on the Land of Youth' as a source.
tune
She was humming a merry little tune.
strain
She could hear the tinny strains of a chamber orchestra.
carol
the singing of Christmas carols
lyric
anthem
the Olympic anthem
hymn
Readings were accompanied by an old Irish hymn.
waiata (New Zealand)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of air
Definition
a simple tune
an old Irish air
Synonyms
tune,
song,
theme,
melody,
strain,
lay,
aria
in the sense of anthem
Definition
a piece of music for a choir, usually set to words from the Bible
the Olympic anthem
Synonyms
song of praise,
carol,
chant,
hymn,
psalm,
paean,
chorale,
canticle
in the sense of ballad
Definition
a slow sentimental song
one of the most beautiful ballads he ever wrote
Synonyms
song,
saga,
ditty,
folk song,
canzone
Nearby words of
serenade
sequester
sequestered
seraphic
serenade
serendipitous
serene
serenity
Synonyms of 'serenade'
serenade
Explore 'serenade' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of carol
Definition
a joyful religious song sung at Christmas
the singing of Christmas carols
Synonyms
song,
noel,
hymn,
Christmas song,
canticle,
canzonet
in the sense of hymn
Definition
a Christian song of praise sung to God or a saint
Readings were accompanied by an old Irish hymn.
Synonyms
religious song,
song of praise,
carol,
chant,
anthem,
psalm,
paean,
canticle,
doxology
in the sense of lay
Definition
a short narrative poem intended to be sung
Yeats used Comyn's `The Lay of Oisin on the Land of Youth' as a source.
Synonyms
poem,
song,
lyric,
ballad,
ode
in the sense of strain
She could hear the tinny strains of a chamber orchestra.
Synonyms
tune,
air,
melody,
measure (poetic),
lay,
song,
theme
in the sense of tune
Definition
a melody, esp. one for which harmony is not essential