melody

word

/ˈmɛɫədi/
ME-luh-dee
/mˈɛlədi/
ME-luh-dee

Definition

A melody is the main musical line of a song or piece of music, the part you usually sing or remember. It can also describe a pleasant sequence of sounds.

Usage & Nuances

Common in music contexts: 'catchy melody', 'play the melody', 'a simple melody'. 'Melody' refers to the tune itself, not the words; don't confuse it with 'lyrics'. It is slightly more technical than 'tune', though in everyday speech they often overlap.

Example Sentences

I like the melody of this song.

basic

That melody is easy to remember.

basic

She played the melody on the piano.

basic

The melody got stuck in my head all day.

natural

I love how the singer changes the melody in the chorus.

natural

The lyrics are nice, but the melody is what makes the song special.

natural