Melody Means a Song for the Limbs
A melody is a tune. The Greek word combines song with a word for a limb or musical phrase.
A melody is a sequence of notes forming a recognisable tune. The Greek *melodia* combines *melos*, a limb or a musical phrase, with *oide*, a song — the same *oide* that gives English *ode*, *parody*, *rhapsody* and *comedy*. A melody is the horizontal dimension of music, as harmony is the vertical.
- A tune. *A haunting melody.*
- The principal line in music. *Carry the melody.*
- Melodic — tuneful. *A melodic passage.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | melody | A simple melody. |
| Plural | melodies | Folk melodies. |
| Adjective | melodic | A melodic line. |
| Adjective | melodious | A melodious voice. |
| Related | ode | A Greek ode. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The melody repeats in the chorus.Song structure.
- Melodic and melodious differ slightly.Technical versus pleasant.
- Melodrama means drama with music.Not exaggerated acting, originally.
Words with *-ode*, song
- Melody — a musical phrase sung
- Ode — a lyric poem, originally sung
- Parody — a song sung alongside another
- Rhapsody — a stitched-together song
- Comedy and tragedy — both contain the same element
From Greek *melodia*, singing, from *melos*, a song or limb, and *aoide*, a song.
Melodic or melodious?
Melodic is the technical adjective meaning relating to melody. Melodious means pleasant to hear.
Why does melodrama contain melody?
Because it originally meant a play with musical accompaniment. The sense of exaggerated emotion came from the style of those plays.