melody

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
  2. noun the perception of pleasant arrangements of musical notes

Etymology

From Middle English melodie, melodye, from Old French melodie, from Latin melodia, from Ancient Greek μελῳδίᾱ (melōidíā, “singing, chanting”), from μέλος (mélos, “musical phrase”) + ἀοιδή (aoidḗ, “song”), contracted form ᾠδή (ōidḗ).

In classic literature

Synonyms

tune, air, strain, melodic line, line, melodic phrase

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