How to pronounce ballad
Say it like BAL-ud. Ballad has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ballad. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAL
- ud
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ballad pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- udKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ballad
American and British speakers say ballad in essentially the same way: /ˈbæləd/ in the US and /ˈbæləd/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAL-ud.
What does ballad mean?
- A kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; especially, a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas.“The poet composed a ballad praising the heroic exploits of the fallen commander.”
- A slow romantic song.“On Friday nights, the roller rink had a time-block called "Lovers' Lap" when they played nothing but ballads on the overhead speakers.”
- To compose or sing ballads.
Where does ballad come from?
From French ballade, from Old Occitan ballada (“poem for a dance”), from Late Latin ballare.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with ballad
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ballad.
Questions about saying ballad
How do you pronounce ballad?
Say BAL-ud. The American pronunciation is /ˈbæləd/. In British English it is /ˈbæləd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ballad?
Ballad has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAL). Broken into parts: BAL · ud.
Do Americans and Brits say ballad the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbæləd/ and the British form is /ˈbæləd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.