melody
/ˈmelədi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmelədi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈme-lə-dē/ (ame, mw)
melody — noun
1. The most recognisable sequence of notes in a composition, typically played by on
The most recognisable sequence of notes in a composition, typically played by one instrument or singer while other parts provide accompaniment.
The violinist played a haunting melody that filled the concert hall.
adjective + melody: haunting melody
Arjun could not stop humming the main melody from the film soundtrack.
main melody — collocation for the central tune
In this symphony the flute carries the melody while the strings provide harmony.
Lan practised the melody on the piano until the notes felt natural under her fingers.
Talia taught her little brother to pick out the melody on her old keyboard.
- harmony
the combination of notes played to support the melody
文法句型
the melody of [something]
[person] plays/sings a melody
用法筆記
Often used with 'carry' or 'play' to describe which instrument is responsible for the main tune. Contrast with 'harmony' — the supporting notes that accompany the melody.
常見錯誤
2. A simple and pleasant tune, especially one that is easy to sing or remember, oft
A simple and pleasant tune, especially one that is easy to sing or remember, often found in songs or folk music.
Lucía sang a simple melody that the children quickly learned to repeat.
simple melody — adjective collocation for easy tunes
The melody of that old folk song always brings back memories of my grandmother.
Esteban picked out a gentle melody on his guitar while everyone listened quietly.
Sari hummed a sweet melody while she watered the plants in the garden.
Jabari whistled the melody of his favourite song as he cycled home from work.
文法句型
[possessive] melody
a melody of [instrument/song type]
用法筆記
This sense emphasises the pleasant, memorable quality of a tune — it is the meaning most often used when talking about songs, nursery rhymes, and folk music. Frequently used with 'hum', 'whistle', or 'sing'.
常見錯誤
3. A structured sequence of single notes arranged in a particular order to form a r
A structured sequence of single notes arranged in a particular order to form a recognizable and meaningful musical unit.
The composer wrote a melody that rises and falls like a gentle wave.
melody + verb of movement: rises and falls
Kian could recognize the melody after hearing just the first three notes.
The conductor showed the orchestra how the melody returns on different instruments each time.
During the concert, Liang noticed that the same melody appears in three different movements.
Padma could still hum the melody from her grandmother's lullaby thirty years later.
- melodic line
more technical; refers to the horizontal progression of notes
- voice
in counterpoint, each independent melody is called a voice
- subject
in a fugue, the main melody or theme introduced at the beginning
文法句型
a melody of [notes/intervals]
[adjective] melody [verb]
用法筆記
This is the most technical sense, used in music theory and analysis. It focuses on the structural arrangement of pitches rather than the emotional or pleasant quality. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 identifies the melody as 'the main tune' in context, while sense 3 describes the melody as a formal pattern of notes.