Melody — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈme-lə-dē/ mel·o·dy

Meaning & Definition of Melody

Melody (noun)

  1. a sweet or agreeable succession or arrangement of sounds
  2. a rhythmic succession of single tones organized as an aesthetic whole

Melody (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a rhythmic series of musical tones arranged to give a pleasing effect

    "this week, we'll learn to play a more complicated melody on the saxophone"

    similar: air, lay, song, strain, tune, warble

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Melody

The most common words with a similar meaning to Melody:

Word Forms of Melody

Inflections: melodies

Derived words: melodic (adjective), melodically (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Melody

Middle English melodie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin melodia, from Greek melōidia chanting, music, from melos limb, musical phrase, song (probably akin to Breton mell joint) + aeidein to sing ode

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Melody

Frequently Asked Questions about Melody

What does "Melody" mean?

"Melody" means a sweet or agreeable succession or arrangement of sounds. As a noun, it is defined as: a sweet or agreeable succession or arrangement of sounds.

What is another word for "Melody"?

Other words for "Melody" include air, lay, song, strain, tune and warble. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Melody" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Melody"?

There are 16 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Melody". Common alternatives include air, lay, song, strain, tune and warble.

How do you use "Melody" in a sentence?

Examples of "Melody" in a sentence: "this week, we'll learn to play a more complicated melody on the saxophone".

Is "Melody" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Melody" is a noun.

Is "Melody" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Melody" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Melody"?

"Melody" is pronounced /ˈme-lə-dē/ and divided into syllables as mel·o·dy.

What is the origin of the word "Melody"?

"Melody" comes from Middle English melodie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin melodia, from Greek melōidia chanting, music, from melos limb, musical phrase, song (probably akin to Breton mell joint) + aeidein to sing ode. First known use: 13th century.