# trad

/tɹˈæd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/trad
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

a style of music that follows traditional rules and sounds. It is often used to describe a specific type of heavy metal or folk music.

For teachers: a style of music characterized by traditional instrumentation and structure, often within the heavy metal or folk genres. Frequently used as a shorthand for 'traditional' in musical contexts.

## Examples

- He plays trad metal with a band.
- The festival features both modern rock acts and traditional trad bands playing folk songs.
- While many musicians experiment with digital effects, this trad band remains committed to acoustic instruments and the raw, unprocessed sound of their ancestors.

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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.