troubadour
/ˈtruːbədɔː(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [trˈubədˌɔr] /ˈtruːbədɔːr/ (ame, ipa) · [trˈubədˌɔr] /ˈtrü-bə-ˌdȯr How to pronounce troubadour (audio) -ˌdu̇r/ (ame, mw)
troubadour — noun
- troubadoursingular
- troubadoursplural
1. a man in the Middle Ages who went between noble courts in southern Europe, perfo
a man in the Middle Ages who went between noble courts in southern Europe, performing songs and poems for powerful listeners.
At the castle feast, the troubadour sang a love song for the queen.
troubadour singing at court
Our history teacher said each troubadour moved from court to court for work.
travel from court to court
In the play, a young troubadour carried a lute across dusty roads.
The guide explained how a troubadour praised noble families in song.
At night, the troubadour sang verses before the duke's guests.
- minstrel
close historical word for a travelling musical performer, though it is broader in period and role
- bard
more literary and less tied to medieval courts
- court poet
focuses more on writing for a ruler than on travelling performance
文法句型
a troubadour
troubadour at court
travel from court to court
用法筆記
Usually used in historical writing about medieval Europe. It refers to court performers rather than ordinary modern singers.
常見錯誤
2. a singer who travels and performs folk-style songs, often in a simple, personal
a singer who travels and performs folk-style songs, often in a simple, personal way.
At the folk club, João performed as a modern troubadour with a guitar.
modern troubadour
Reviewers called Saira a troubadour after her album of road songs.
literary label for a folk-style singer
The old bar hired a local troubadour to sing between dinner tables.
For years, Kofi travelled as a troubadour, sharing village songs at fairs.
The children followed a troubadour who sang old mountain songs by the fire.
- folk singer
the most direct everyday label, without the literary tone of troubadour
- balladeer
more literary and often suggests story songs or ballads
- singer-songwriter
emphasizes writing and performing your own songs, not specifically folk material
文法句型
a troubadour
perform as a troubadour
modern troubadour
用法筆記
Often used in an admiring or literary way for a wandering folk singer. In ordinary situations, singer or musician is usually more neutral.