# melody

/ˈmɛɫədi/ (US) · /mˈɛlədi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/melody
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a tune

noun · CEFR B1

a series of musical notes that follow each other to create a recognizable tune.

For teachers: a sequence of musical notes that are perceived as a single, coherent structure; the principal part in a harmonic composition.

- The song has a simple melody that is very easy to whistle.
- The composer introduced a haunting melody in the first movement, which was later developed into a complex fugue by the woodwind section.

### 2. musical quality

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

the quality of being pleasant to listen to because of the arrangement of sounds.

For teachers: the quality of being melodious or tuneful; sweet-sounding arrangement of words or musical tones.

- I love the melody of the Italian language when it is spoken quickly.
- The poet was celebrated for the natural melody of his verse, which seemed to sing even when read silently from the page.

## Examples

- The flute plays a beautiful melody.
- The composer wrote a simple melody that stayed in the audience's heads long after the concert ended.
- While the rhythm section provides a driving pulse, the lead guitarist explores a complex melody that weaves through several key changes before returning to the main theme.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.