ENGLISH
REFERENCE

medley

n. countable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈmɛdɫi// UK //mˈɛdli// med·ley Archaic

n. a piece of music that combines parts of several different songs into one long track. It can also mean a mixture of different things that are put together.

n. a musical composition consisting of a series of songs or other musical pieces from various sources. In a broader sense, refers to a varied mixture of disparate elements.


SIMPLE

The band played a medley of their greatest hits.

CONTEXTUAL

The restaurant serves a seafood medley featuring fresh shrimp, scallops, and mussels in a light garlic sauce.

COMPLEX

The closing ceremony featured a vibrant medley of traditional folk tunes and modern pop, designed to showcase the country's diverse cultural evolution over the last century.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English medle, from Anglo-Norman medlee, Old French medlee, from the feminine past participle of early Medieval Latin misculō (“to mix”). Compare meddle. Doublet of melee.

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'of' to specify the components of the mixture.

© 2026 English Reference