ballad
Noun
Medium difficulty
What does “ballad” mean?
noun.a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas.
SAT Usage
This term is often found in passages related to literature, music, or storytelling, emphasizing emotional narratives and cultural themes. It suggests a blend of poetic form and narrative depth, distinguishing it from mere songs or poems by highlighting its storytelling aspect, often evoking nostalgia or reflection on personal or historical events.
Common Confusions
Ballad implies a narrative poem or song that tells a story, while lyric usually suggests a personal expression of emotions or thoughts without a narrative structure.
Do not choose ballad if the context emphasizes a simple rhyme scheme or musical quality rather than a poem or song narrating a story in short stanzas.
Example Sentences
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The folk singer performed a tender ballad by the campfire.
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The singer performed a beautiful ballad about lost love.