noun · verb · 7 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ˌsɛɹəˈneɪd/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
rhymes with -eɪd
CMU ARPABET:S EH2 R AH0 N EY1 D
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A love song that is sung directly to one's love interest, especially one performed below the window of a loved one in the evening.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
An instrumental composition in several movements.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
Examples
“Eine kleine Nachtmusik” is a well-known serenade written by Mozart.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
verb
Meaning 3
To sing or play a serenade for (someone).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
verb
Meaning 4
To woo someone.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
noun
Meaning 5
a musical composition in several movements; has no fixed form
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: divertimento
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: musical composition, opus, composition, piece, piece of music
6
noun
Meaning 6
a song characteristically played outside the house of a woman
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Borrowed from French sérénade, from Italian serenata, from the past participle of serenare, from Latin serenare, from serenus (“calm”), of uncertain origin (see there).
Across languages
Translations
72 source translations are retained for this English entry.
