melodious
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /mɛlˈəʊdɪəs/
US
- /məˈloʊdiəs/
Description
- sweet-sounding
- harmonious
- tuneful
If a sound is melodious, it is pleasant to hear, with a smooth, musical flow. You might use it for birdsong at dawn, a beautifully played violin, or a singer with a warm, lovely voice. The word suggests more than just a nice sound; it carries the idea of tune, rhythm, and gentle beauty.
It comes from the Greek "melos," meaning song or melody. A melodious sound is not harsh or rough. It feels shaped, balanced, and easy to listen to, which is why the word is often used for music, singing, and other naturally musical sounds.
Melodious describes a sound that is musical, smooth, and pleasing to hear. It is commonly used for singing, instruments, and natural sounds that seem to have a tune-like beauty. When you call something melodious, you are saying that it does not sound harsh, flat, or unpleasant. Instead, it has a gentle, flowing quality that people usually enjoy listening to.
The word is most often used for voices and music. For example, you might say, "She has a melodious voice," or "The flute played a melodious tune." It can also describe sounds in nature, such as birds singing, or other sounds with a soft, musical character, such as bells in the distance. In each case, the idea is the same: the sound feels sweet, balanced, and full of melody.
Melodious can also be used for language itself when spoken words have a beautiful rhythm or pleasing sound. A poem read aloud, a line of speech, or even a style of speaking may be called melodious if it flows well and sounds attractive to the ear. This use is less about the meaning of the words and more about how they sound when heard.
The word comes from the Greek "melos," meaning song or melody, which helps explain its close connection to music. Overall, melodious is a warm, positive word for sounds that seem naturally tuneful and enjoyable, whether they come from a person, an instrument, nature, or spoken language.
Examples
- 1
Voice
She had a soft, melodious voice that made everyone stop talking.
- 2
Nature sound
We woke up to the melodious sound of birds outside the window.
- 3
Music
The song has a slow beat and a simple, melodious chorus.
- 4
Language sound
Italian sounded especially melodious when he read the poem aloud.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- melodiousadjective